South Africa: The Presidency Invites Nominations For National Orders

(MENAFN- APO Group)

The Presidency invites South Africans to nominate – for the honour of National Orders - people from their communities and sectors who have recorded exceptional achievements or made outstanding contributions to communities or the nation at large.

National Orders are the highest awards that our country bestows, through the President, on citizens and eminent foreign nationals.

Nominations for National Orders close on Wednesday, 30 September, 2026.

The President, as the custodian of honour in the country, bestows these Orders and Decorations and is assisted by the Director-General in The Presidency, who is the Chancellor of National Orders and the Advisory Council on National Orders.

The Chancellor of National Orders, Ms Phindile Baleni, calls on citizens to make nominations for National Orders as part of sustaining the integrity, inclusiveness and diversity of this institution of recognition of outstanding personal endeavour, social cohesion, nation-building.

Ms Baleni said:“The National Orders are a platform for the recognition of fellow South Africans and persons globally who, in exceptional ways, have historically made or are currently making important or interesting contributions to all aspects of our national life.

“From politics to popular culture, as well as the recognition of bravery and honouring the nation's esteemed scientists and innovators, the National Orders give us an opportunity annually to be inspired by and grateful to people who have done outstanding things to shape our past and our future.

“We therefore remind people from all walks of life and backgrounds – including the youth of our country - to identify from their communities and sectors persons who, on the basis of exceptional achievements or contributions, deserve the honour of a National Order.”

The National Orders are:

- The Order of Mapungubwe, awarded to South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement.

- The Order of the Baobab, awarded to South African citizens for distinguished service. The service awarded is well above and beyond the ordinary call of duty. It is an award for exceptional and distinguished contributions in the following categories: business and the economy: science, medicine and technological innovation, and community service.

- The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo, awarded to eminent foreign nationals. It is awarded for friendship shown to South Africa. It is therefore an order of peace, co-operation and active expression of solidarity and support. The Order constitutes an essential pillar of international and multilateral relations.

- The Order of Luthuli, awarded to South Africans who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice and peace, and conflict resolution.

- The Order of Ikhamanga, awarded to South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.

- The Order of Mendi for Bravery, awarded to South African citizens who have performed extraordinary acts of bravery that placed their lives in great danger, or who lost their own lives while performing those acts, including in trying to save the life of another person, or by saving property, in or outside the Republic of South Africa.

Nomination forms that outline simple guidelines to nominators can be downloaded at

Each filled nomination form must be accompanied by a motivations which should include:

- an introductory paragraph with a summary of the nominee's achievements
- a list of exceptional milestones reached by the nominee in his/her career and/or international arena, and
- a description of the exceptional, outstanding, dedicated service or act of bravery rendered by the nominee.

The closing date for nominations: 30 September 2026.

Details of the annual National Orders Ceremony will be provided at a later date.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

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