Brink plays down crime criticism
2006-09-27 13:18
Pretoria - The celebrated Afrikaans author Andre Brink played down his criticism of the government's response to crime when he received a national order at a ceremony in Pretoria on Wednesday.
"Within a family there are fights like the one I'm having with government, but this award gives me a feeling of warmth and that you belong where your people are," Brink said shortly before receiving the Order of Ikhamanga (Silver) for "excellent contribution to literature and fighting for a just and democratic society".
Brink was one of 28 recipients who received the country's highest honours at the eighth presentation of National Orders.
Enriching lives of SA citizens
Speaking at the ceremony at the Union Buildings, President Thabo Mbeki said the recipients deserved tribute for enriching the lives of all South Africans.
"The honours that we bestow today tell the story of what and who we are and who we shall be," Mbeki said.
The late Alan Paton, author of Cry the Beloved Country, received the Ikhamanga award (Gold) posthumously for "exceptional contribution to literature, exposing the apartheid oppression through his work and fighting for a just and democratic society".
Jazz legend Thandi Klaasen, who received the Order of Ikhamanga (Silver), said while she could not enjoy her award for much longer but hoped it would inspire young artists.
"They must not do this dagga and liquor, the must look after themselves and do the best things, when they look up they will receive the awards," she said.
Olympic gold medallists awarded
Olympic swimming gold medallists Ryk Neethling and Roland Schoeman were amongst the sportspeople who received orders.
Oscar Pistorius, Paralympic gold medal winner and world record holder in the 100, 200 and 400 metres, was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (Bronze) for "inspiring achievements in the field of athletics and contributing to the well-being of people with disabilities in Africa".
"This is something different than a sport award... it comes from your country... it shows you that you are on the right track," Pistorius said.
Posthumous award
One of the few gold awards was posthumously awarded to Bhambatha ka Mancinza Zondi, the Zulu chief who led his warriors in a rebellion against the British in 1906 against a poll tax.
He was awarded the Order of Mendi (Gold), which was also given to Benson Tsele, an Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) cadre who was killed in a fight with the Rhodesian Army.
Award for bravery
It was not only famous people who received National Orders. Marcel Christian van Rossum, a Pretoria resident, received the Order of Mendi (Bronze) for "displaying an act of bravery and courage by putting his life at risk to save the lives of drowning children".
Without concern for his own safety, he jumped into the sea at St Lucia beach in KwaZulu-Natal in 2001 to save two boys Sipho, 16, and Sibongiseni, 13, who were swept away by a current.
- SAPA