Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock, amongst other sports stars, singers, authors and medical practitioners were honoured at a National Orders ceremony held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday. The National Orders are the highest awards that the President of South Africa can bestow on citizens and foreign nationals in recognition of prominent contributions to nation building and the achievement of excellence in various fields of endeavor.
In his first orders ceremony President Kgalema Motlanthe bestowed the accolades on over 20 recipients including Springboks Bryan Habana and Percy Montgomery and Proteas Pollock and Ntini who all received the Order of Ikhamanga - Silver.
Accomplished Jazz and Opera singer Sibongile Khumalo as well as long-standing musical group Ladysmith Black Mambazo were also honoured with National Orders in this category. They were joined by writers Ronald Govender, Lauretta Ngcobo and Keorapetse William Kgositsile who were honoured for their contributions to South African literature.
Eighty-nine year old Doris Lessing, the world's oldest Nobel Literature Prize winner, was honoured with the Order of Mapungubwe-Gold for her achievements in literature and her contribution to the elimination of colonialism and apartheid.
The Order of Mendi for Bravery - Gold was posthumously awarded to Thamsanqa Blessing Fihlela and Nomava Shangase for their contribution to freedom through their provision of medical services to exiled South African freedom fighters.
National Orders have been awarded every year since 1994 and twice a year since 2005. Previous recipients include Walter Sisulu, Nadine Gordimer, FW de Klerk, Judge Arthur Chaskalson, Ingrid Jonker and Natalie du Toit.
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