- Orders, decorations, and medals of South Africa
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South African Orders, Decorations and Medals are those military and civilian orders, decorations and medals issued by the Government of South Africa. The following is a (non-exhaustive) list of these:
Contents
Historical Orders, Decorations and Medals
Military
Main article: South African military decorationsCastle of Good Hope Decoration
The Castle of Good Hope Decoration (post-nominal letters: CGH) was instituted in 1952 as an award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
It had only one grade and a dark green ribbon.
Honoris Crux
The Honoris Crux (Cross of Honour) medal (post-nominal letters: HC) was instituted in 1952 as an award for gallantry in (military) action. The decoration had only one grade and its ribbon was green with red and white edges.
This decoration was discontinued in 1975, being replaced by the Honoris Crux Decoration.
Honoris Crux Decoration
This decoration was instituted in 1975, replacing the Honoris Crux medal, and was awarded for bravery in dangerous (military) situations.
The order initially had four grades (Honoris Crux Diamond, Honoris Crux Gold, Honoris Crux Silver, Honoris Crux), but the Diamond (never awarded) and Gold grades were discontinued in 1993. The ribbons of the medals were orange with white stripes (width and position depending on grade).
The four grades Honoris Crux Decorations:
- Honoris Crux Diamond (post-nominal: HCD), To be awarded for death-defying heroic deeds of outstanding valour.
- Honoris Crux Gold (post-nominal: HCG), Awarded for outstanding bravery in extreme danger.
- Honoris Crux Silver (post-nominal: HCS), Awarded for exceptional bravery in great danger.
- Honoris Crux (post-nominal: HC), Awarded for bravery in danger
Military Merit Medal
The Military Merit Medal (post-nominal letters: MMM) was instituted in 1974 and was awarded for service in the armed forces of a high standard. The medal only had on grade with the ribbon being light blue with wide orange central stripe and dark blue edges.
Southern Cross Medal
The Southern Cross Medal (post-nominal letters: SM) was instituted in 1952 for outstanding devotion to duty. From 1967, the medal was awarded to officers only and in 1975 the medal was redesigned.
The medal only had on grade with the ribbon being either dark blue with orange and white central stripe (1952 medal) or dark blue with white edges and two narrow white central stripes (1975 medal). It was replaced by the Protea Decorations for Merit.
Southern Cross Decoration
The Southern Cross Decoration (post-nominal letters: SD) was instituted in 1975 as an award to officers for outstanding service and devotion to duty.
The medal only had on grade with the ribbon being dark blue with two narrow white central stripes. It was replaced by the Protea Decorations for Merit.
Pro Patria Medal
Pro Patria Medal
The Pro Patria Medal was awarded to serving members of all races for a period of 55 days continuous or 90 days non-continuous duty in an operational area as designated by the minister, in service in the defence of the RSA for the suppression or prevention of terrorrism. Members who fought in the Angolan War of '75- '76 were awarded the medal with the Cunene Clasp, which was added to the ribbon.
It was awarded to people who where in active service in the SADF (South African Defence Force) during the Angolan Bush War
Decoration for Devoted Service
The Decoration for Devoted Service (post-nominal letters: DTD) (Afrikaans: Dekorasie vir Troue Diens) was instituted in 1920 as an award to officers in the Boer forces for distinguished and meritorious service during the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).
The medal only had one grade with the ribbon being red, green, blue, yellow and white. It was discontinued in 1946.
Campaign and Service Medals
The following campaign and service medals have been awarded by the South African armed forces:
- South African Republic and Orange Free State War Medal
- Natal Native Rebellion Medal
- 1914 Star
- 1914-15 Star
- British War Medal
- Victory Medal
- 1939-45 Star
- Atlantic Star
- Air Crew Europe Star
- Africa Star
- Pacific Star
- Burma Star
- Italy Star
- France and Germany Star
- Defence Medal
- Africa Service Medal
- War Medal 1939-45
- South African Medal for War Services
- Korea Medal
- Pro Patria Medal
- Southern Africa Medal
- General Service Medal
Civilian
Union of South Africa King's/Queen's Medal for Bravery
The Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery was instituted in 1939 in order to award South African citizens for exceptional gallantry in saving life.
The decoration had two grades (Gold and Silver) and had a blue ribbon with orange edges. The medal lapsed on 31 May 1961, when South Africa became a republic.
Woltemade Decoration for Bravery
The Woltemade Decoration for Bravery was a revived, republican version of the King's/Queen's Medal for Bravery. It was instituted in 1970 and was awarded until 1988, when it was replaced by the Woltemade Cross for Bravery.
Woltemade Cross for Bravery
The Woltemade Cross for Bravery (post-nominal letters: WD) was instituted in 1988, replacing the Woltemade Decoration, in order to award South African citizens for outstanding bravery in saving life. The cross had two grades (Gold and Silver) and had a blue ribbon with orange edges. The Woltemade Cross was discontinued in 2002.
Current Orders, Decorations and Medals
Military
Nkwe (Leopard) Decorations for Bravery
The three Nkwe (Leopard) Decorations for Bravery are awarded for bravery in military operations in place of the Honoris Crux Decorations in 2003.
The three Leopard Decorations are:
- Nkwe ya Gauta (Golden Leopard) (post-nominal: NG), for exceptional bravery during military operations.
- Nkwe ya Selefera (Silver Leopard) (post-nominal: NS), for conspicuous bravery during military operations.
- Nkwe ya Boronse (Bronze Leopard) (post-nominal: NB), for bravery during military operations.
Protea Decoration for Merit
The three Protea Decorations for Merit are for leadership, meritorious conduct or devotion to duty in place of the previous Southern Cross Decoration, Southern Cross Medal and Military Merit Medal.
The three Protea Decorations are:
- iPhrothiya yeGolide (post-nominal: PG), to officers for outstanding service of the highest order and utmost devotion to duty.
- iPhrothiya yeSiliva (post-nominal: PS), to officers for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty.
- iPhrothiya yeBhronzi (post-nominal: PB), to all ranks of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by performing services of the highest order.
Civilian
Order of the Baobab
The order of the Boabab was instituted in 2002 to award South African citizens for services to democracy, human rights, arts and sciences and community service.
The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Order of Ikhamanga
The order of Ikhamanga was instituted in 2003 to award South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.
The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Order of Luthuli
The order of Luthuli was instituted in 2003 to award South African citizens who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice, peace and conflict resolution.
The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Order of Mapungubwe
The order of Mapungubwe was instituted in 2002 to award South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement. The order has three grades: Platinum, Gold and Bronze.
Order of the Companions of OR Tambo
The order of OR Tambo was instituted in 2002 to award heads of state and senior diplomats of other countries for showing friendship towards South Africa.
The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.
The Order of Mendi for Bravery
The Order of Mendi for Bravery (originally the Mendi Decoration for Bravery) is awarded to South African citizens who have performed an extraordinary act of bravery that placed their lives in great danger, or who lost their own lives, including in trying to save the life of another person, or by saving property, in or outside the Republic of South Africa.
The order has three grades (post-nominal letters in brackets): Gold (OMBG), Silver (OMBS) and Bronze (OMBB). The ribbon is gold coloured and has cream-coloured lion footprints upon it.
See also
- Evolution of the South African honours system
- Military history of South Africa
- South African civil honours
- South African intelligence service decorations
- South African military decorations
- South African orders and decorations
- South African police decorations
- South African prisons decorations
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Orders and Honours of South Africa Current national orders Baobab • Ikhamanga • Luthuli • Mapungubwe • The Companions of OR Tambo • Order of Mendi for Bravery •
Historical national orders (1967-1986) Woltemade • Star of South Africa • Good Hope • Meritorious Service • Medal for Bravery • Medal for Meritorious Service
Historical national orders (1967-1986) Woltemade Cross • Star of South Africa • Meritorious Service • Good Hope • Medal for Bravery • Distinguished Service • Meritorious Service
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