South African honours system
Encyclopedia
The South African honours system has a continuous history from 1910, when the Union of South Africa
was established.
from its establishment on 31 May 1910. However, in 1925, the South African Government issued a decree that banned South African citizens from being awarded peerages, knighthoods, and damehoods. Those who were awarded titles prior to this decree were allowed to retain them.
Three uniquely South African awards were instituted in this period;
Daniel Malan decided to institute a range of uniquely South African honours. The British honours system continued to be awarded in this period.
The new awards included the following:
, albeit outside the Commonwealth of Nations
. The British honours system ceased to be awarded at this time.
A range of honours was instituted in this period. These included the following;
Several branches of the public services had their own honours systems established. For these, see the following:
on 1 June 1994. The pre-1994 honours system continued to be awarded by President Nelson Mandela
and President Thabo Mbeki
until 2002.
A series of honours was established for the separate anti-apartheid resistance organisations. These can be found under the following:
The awards that were issued under the 'independent' Bantustans and 'non-independent' Homelands
have now been given a place within the South African order of wear.
Union of South Africa
The Union of South Africa is the historic predecessor to the present-day Republic of South Africa. It came into being on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the previously separate colonies of the Cape, Natal, Transvaal and the Orange Free State...
was established.
1910 to 1952
South Africa used the British honours systemBritish honours system
The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals' personal bravery, achievement, or service to the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories...
from its establishment on 31 May 1910. However, in 1925, the South African Government issued a decree that banned South African citizens from being awarded peerages, knighthoods, and damehoods. Those who were awarded titles prior to this decree were allowed to retain them.
Three uniquely South African awards were instituted in this period;
- Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal, 1910. This was awarded to those who were involved in the commemorative events.
- Anglo-Boer War Service Medal. This was awarded to those who served in the armies of the Orange Free StateOrange Free StateThe Orange Free State was an independent Boer republic in southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century, and later a British colony and a province of the Union of South Africa. It is the historical precursor to the present-day Free State province...
and the South African RepublicSouth African RepublicThe South African Republic , often informally known as the Transvaal Republic, was an independent Boer-ruled country in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century. Not to be confused with the present-day Republic of South Africa, it occupied the area later known as the South African...
during the Second Boer WarSecond Boer WarThe Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
.
- Africa Service MedalAfrica Service MedalThe Africa Service Medal was a South African campaign medal for service in World War II. It was instituted by King George VI, in his capacity as South African head of state, on 23 December 1943, and was awarded in addition to the British stars and medals issued for the war...
. This was awarded during and after World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
for service in any part of AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, including South Africa.
1952 to 1961
In 1952, the apartheid regime under Prime MinisterPrime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Daniel Malan decided to institute a range of uniquely South African honours. The British honours system continued to be awarded in this period.
The new awards included the following:
- Order of the Star of South AfricaOrder of the Star of South AfricaThe Order of the Star of South Africa was a South African honour. It was instituted on 1 July 1975, and was granted by the state president of South Africa, for services connected with national defence and security. It replaced the Star of South Africa decoration, instituted in 1952. The order...
- South African Korean War Service Medal
1961 to 1994
On 31 May 1961, South Africa was declared a republicRepublic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
, albeit outside the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
. The British honours system ceased to be awarded at this time.
A range of honours was instituted in this period. These included the following;
- Order of the Star of South AfricaOrder of the Star of South AfricaThe Order of the Star of South Africa was a South African honour. It was instituted on 1 July 1975, and was granted by the state president of South Africa, for services connected with national defence and security. It replaced the Star of South Africa decoration, instituted in 1952. The order...
- Order of Good HopeCastle of Good Hope DecorationThe Castle of Good Hope Decoration was South Africa's highest military honour from 1952 to 2003. It was introduced on 6 April 1952, and formally authorised by Queen Elizabeth II on 26 January 1953, as a substitute for the Victoria Cross, for which South African servicemen had previously been...
- Decoration for Meritorious ServicesDecoration for Meritorious ServicesThe Decoration for Meritorious Services was an honour conferred by the apartheid-era Government of the Republic of South Africa, usually upon those appointed as State President of South Africa.-Postnominal letters:...
- John Chard DecorationJohn Chard DecorationThe John Chard Decoration was a South African military medal that was in use from 1952 to 2003. It was awarded to members of the Citizen Force who completed twenty years qualifying service, provided they had already earned the John Chard Medal...
- John Chard MedalJohn Chard MedalThe John Chard Medal was instituted with effect from 6 April 1952 to replace the Efficiency Medal and the Air Efficiency Award which was previously awarded to members of the Citizen Force between 1939 and 1952...
- Jack Hinton Medal
- Woltemade Cross for Bravery
Several branches of the public services had their own honours systems established. For these, see the following:
- South African Police honours system
- South African Railway Police honours system
- South African Prison Service honours system
1994 to 2002
On 27 April 1994, South Africa entered into a new era after free elections were held. South Africa returned to membership in the Commonwealth of NationsCommonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
on 1 June 1994. The pre-1994 honours system continued to be awarded by President Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
and President Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
until 2002.
2002 Onward
A new series of Orders was created to replace the old system. These include the following:- Order of the BaobabOrder of the BaobabThe Order of the Baobab is a South African honour. It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and is granted by the president of South Africa for service to South Africa in the following fields: business and the economy, science, medicine and technological innovation, and community service...
A series of honours was established for the separate anti-apartheid resistance organisations. These can be found under the following:
- Umkhonto We Sizwe honours system
- Azanian Peoples' Organisation honours system
The awards that were issued under the 'independent' Bantustans and 'non-independent' Homelands
Homelands
Homelands was a British music festival which consisted mainly of Dance music, both live acts and famous DJs. The event was held at Cheesefoot Head near Winchester, Hampshire, and was one of the most popular British festivals of this genre. It was run by Live Nation UK.A Scottish edition of the...
have now been given a place within the South African order of wear.