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:
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[edit] Historical Orders, Decorations and Medals
[edit] Military
[edit] Pro Patria Medal
The Pro Patria Medal was awarded to members of all races for service in the defence of the RSA or the suppression or prevention of terrorrism.
It was awarded to any person who served in the Military Forces of the Republic of South Africa, and recipients counted amongst all races
[edit] Castle of Good Hope Decoration
The Castle of Good Hope Decoration (post-nominal letters: CGH) was instituted in 1952 as an awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
It had only one grade and a dark green ribbon.
[edit] Honoris Crux Medal
The Honoris Crux (Cross of Honour) medal (post-nominal letters: HC) was instituted in 1952 as an award for gallantry in (military) action. The medal had only one grade and its ribbon was green with red and white edges.
This medal was discontinued in 1975, being replaced by the Honoris Crux Decoration.
[edit] 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).
[edit] 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.
It was replaced by the Protea Decorations for Merit.
[edit] Southern Cross Medal
The Southern Cross Medal (post-nominal letters: SC) was instituted in 1952 for exceptionally meritorious service and devotion to duty. From 1967, the medal was awarded 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 on grade with the ribbon being red, green, blue, yellow and white. It was discontinued in 1946.
[edit] 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
- Danie Theron Medal of Honour 1970-2003 for diligent service
[edit] Civilian
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Current Orders, Decorations and Medals
[edit] Military
[edit] Leopard Decoration for Bravery
The three Leopard Decorations for Bravery are awarded for bravery in military operations in place of the previous Castle of Good Hope Decoration, the Honoris Crux (Silver) and the Honoris Crux.
The three Leopard Decorations are:
- Nkwe ya Gauta (Golden Leopard) (post-nominal: NG), for a single act of valour.
- Nkwe ya Selefera (Silver Leopard) (post-nominal: NS), for exceptional deeds of bravery while in great danger.
- Nkwe ya Boronse (Bronze Leopard) (post-nominal: NB), for deeds of bravery while in danger.
[edit] 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 members of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves by performing services of the highest order.
[edit] Civilian
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] The Mendi Decoration for Bravery
The SS 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 (MDG), Silver (MDS) and Bronze (MDB). The ribbon is gold coloured and has cream-coloured lion footprints upon it.
