Order of Mapungubwe

The Order of Mapungubwe is a South African civilian honour awarded by the President of South Africa. It recognises South African citizens whose achievements have international impact and serve the interests of South Africa.[1] It is South Africa's highest honour.[citation needed]

Order of Mapungubwe
Awarded by President of South Africa
TypeCivilian national order
Established6 December 2002
StatusCurrently constituted
Grades
  • Platinum (OMP)
  • Gold (OMG)
  • Silver (OMS)
  • Bronze (OMB)

Ribbon

The order is named after the ancient civilisation of Mapungubwe, which was located in modern-day South Africa.[1] It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and its first recipient (in the highest class) was former president Nelson Mandela.

Classes edit

The order originally had three classes, and was enlarged to four in 2004:

  • Platinum (OMP), for exceptional and unique achievements;
  • Gold (OMG), for exceptional achievements;
  • Silver (OMS), for excellent achievements; and
  • Bronze (OMB), for outstanding achievements.

Design edit

The badge is a horizontal oval above an inverted trapezium. Inside the oval frame is depicted a golden rhinoceros with the sun rising above Mapungubwe Hill in the background. The convex upper edge of the trapezium is decorated with a beadwork pattern and the sides are edged with sceptres. In the centre is an ornate crucible from which molten gold flows down to a red furnace. The South African coat of arms is displayed on the reverse.

The ribbon is gold, edged with a line of cream-coloured bead-like dots along each edge, and recurring cream-coloured rhinoceros silhouettes down the centre. All four classes are worn around the neck.

Recipients edit

RecipientClassYearField of achievementRef.
Nelson MandelaPlatinum2002Liberation struggle, national reconciliation and nation-building, and global peace and justice
F. W. de KlerkGold2002Peace, national reconciliation and nation-building
Allan McLeod Cormack Gold2002Science and CT scanning
Basil Schonland Gold2002Physics and foundation of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Peter BeightonBronze2002Science and research into inherited skeleton disorders
Hamilton NakiBronze2002Medical science
Sydney BrennerGold2004Medicine, especially research in genetics
Tshilidzi MarwalaBronze2004Engineering science
Daya ReddyBronze2004Mathematics and science
J. M. CoetzeeGold2005Literature
Aaron KlugGold2005Medicine
Frank NabarroGold2005Science
Tebello NyokongBronze2005Science
Himladevi SoodyallBronze2005Science
Selig Percy AmoilsSilver2006Ophthalmology
George EllisSilver2006Science
Lionel OpieSilver2006Cardiology
Patricia BerjakSilver2006Seed science
Claire PennSilver2007Speech and language pathology, especially research into sign language, child language, aphasia and head injuries
Sibusiso SibisiSilver2007Information technology, research and development and business technology
Valerie MizrahiSilver2007Biochemistry and molecular biology, including tuberculosis drug validation
Doris LessingGold2008Literature and the elimination of colonialism and apartheid
Wieland GeversSilver2008Higher education and medicine
Phuti NgoepeSilver2008Natural sciences and computer modelling research
Tim NoakesSilver2008Sport and the science of physical exercise
Pragasen PillaySilver2008Energy conservation
Mangena Maake Mokone Gold2009African Ethiopian Movement[2]
Hendrik J. KoornhofSilver2009Biomedical science[2]
Bongani MayosiSilver2009Medical science[2]
Johann LutjeharmsSilver2009/10Oceanographic science[2]
Douglas ButterworthSilver2010Betterment of the environment and sustainability of fisheries
Monique ZaahlBronze2010Genetics and research into iron overload disorders
Pieter SteynSilver2011Chemistry and biosynthesis of mycotoxins
Oliver Tambo Platinum2012Exceptional leadership during the anti-apartheid struggle
Albert Luthuli Platinum2012Exceptional leadership during the anti-apartheid struggle
Barry SchoubSilver2012Virology
Patience Mthunzi-KufaBronze2012Biophotonics
Bernie FanaroffSilver2013Astronomy and the Square Kilometre Array
George EkamaSilver2013Research into wastewater treatment
Glenda GraySilver2013Research into mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS
Malegapuru William MakgobaSilver2013Transformation of higher education
Quarraisha Abdool KarimBronze2013Research into HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis
Ismail Mohamed Silver2014Mathematics and political liberation
Hendrik Simon SchaafSilver2014Medical science
William Soga Silver2014Medicine and anthropology
Namrita LallBronze2014Medical science
Zwelakhe Sisulu Gold2016Journalism[3]
Fulufhelo NelwamondoSilver2017Science, especially electrical engineering[4]
Siyabulela XuzaSilver2017Scientific innovation[4]
Edna Molewa Gold2019Environmental justice
Malik MaazaSilver2019Nano-science
Ari SitasSilver2019Social science
Thokozani MajoziBronze2019Science, especially a novel mathematical technique for near-zero-effluent batch chemical facilities which enables the reuse of wastewater
Aboubaker Ebrahim DangorSilver2023Physics[5]
Vhahangwele MasindiSilver2023Environmental sciences and water[5]


See also edit

References edit

Other sources edit

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