'Not easy to build united nation'

2009-12-11 19:00

Pretoria - It had not been an easy task to build a nation united in its diversity, but a good start had been made in the past 15 years, President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.

"We have a Constitution which guarantees human rights for all, the right to a minimum standard of life, including the right to access health, education, social security, food and water," Zuma said at the national orders ceremony in Pretoria.

He said National Orders were a source of pride, as they reminded South Africans of the road they had travelled.

He said National Orders would be awarded on April 27 from next year to give meaning to celebrating national heroes, and the founding "fathers and mothers" of the freedom and democracy attained in 1994.

Orders

The Order of Mendi, for bravery, was awarded posthumously to Phindile Ndlovu, Michael Festus Boikhutso and Job Tabane.

The Order of Baobab, for exceptional contributions in business, economy, science, medicine and technological innovation, was awarded to Elizabeth Georgina Firmstone, Victor John Ritchie and Thudiso Virginia Gcadashe, and the Reverend Mangena Maake Mokone.

The Order of Ikhamanga, for artists, performers and sportsmen and women, was awarded posthumously in gold to singer to Miriam Makeba, and swimmers Lewis Gordon Pugh and Natalie du Toit; and in silver to musicians Abdullah Ibrahim, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya and Jan Rabie; and in bronze to athlete Khotso Mokoena.

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo, for foreigners who strive for justice and human rights, was awarded to Jennifer Davis, Anna Abdallah, Sadako Ogata and the Reverend William Cullen Wilcox and his wife Ida.

The Order of Mapunguwe, for excellence in medical science and oceanographic science, was awarded to Hendrik J Koornhof, Johann Lutjeharms and Bongani Mayosi.

Order of Mendi

Phindile Ndlovu of Olando West, Soweto was awarded the bronze Order of Mendi for risking her life by rescuing her daughter Nthabiseng from a burning house in August, this year.

Ndlovu, her four old son Paballo, and a relative Fikile were killed in the blaze. Former Umkhonto we Sizwe member Boikhutso was awarded gold for his bravery of overwhelming odds, and for sacrificing his life in the cause of justice, freedom and democracy.

He was attached to the Luthuli detachment and was killed in combat on March 21 1968.

Tabane, also known as Cassius Maake of Maile outside Rustenburg was awarded gold for his contribution to the struggle for freedom, displaying extreme courage against all odds and ultimately sacrificing his life in the quest for a democratic South Africa.

He was assassinated by apartheid agents in 1987, in Swaziland while he was on his way to Mbabane.

A provincial hospital in Rustenburg has been named after him.

A woman who hosted Nelson Mandela at her house in Botswana, Sina Keitsing, was awarded the Order of Luthuli in bronze for her outstanding contribution to the struggle and for providing safe passage to many exiled cadres in Botswana during the struggle against apartheid.

She hosted Mandela, while he was on his way to the Pan African Freedom Movement in 1962.

Contribution to democracy

The Order of Luthuli is awarded to people who had made a contribution to the goals of democracy.

Keitsing through her contact in Lehurutshe near Zeerust was instrumental in organising an effective underground courier system between Botswana and Johannesburg.

She shared the award with Nokuhamba Nyawo, while Simon Senna, David Rabik (posthumous), Dulcie Evon September (posthumous), Ahmed Timol (posthumous) were awarded silver.

The Order of Luthuli in gold was awarded posthumously, to James Sofasonke Mpanza, Peter Nchabeleng and Johannes Phumani Phungula.

President Jacob Zuma said through the recipients, South Africans saw the resolve to strive for common good in the country.

"In them we see our resolve to make this a nation of achievers, a nation of people who know what it means to sacrifice for the good of the country and fellow being."

- SAPA