Zuma: Good start has been made in building a united SA

It has not been an easy task to build a nation united in its diversity, but a good start has been made in the past 15 years, President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.

“We have a Constitution that guarantees human rights for all, the right to a minimum standard of life, including the right to access health, education, social security, food and water,” Zuma said at the national orders ceremony in Pretoria.

He said national orders were a source of pride, as they reminded South Africans of the road they had travelled.

He said national orders would be awarded on April 27 from next year to give meaning to celebrating national heroes and the founding fathers and mothers of the freedom and democracy attained in 1994.

The Order of Mendi, for bravery, was awarded posthumously to Phindile Ndlovu, Michael Festus Boikhutso and Job Tabane.

The Order of Baobab, for exceptional contributions in business, economy, science, medicine and technological innovation, was awarded to Elizabeth Georgina Firmstone, Victor John Ritchie, Thudiso Virginia Gcadashe, and the Reverend Mangena Maake Mokone.

The Order of Ikhamanga, for artists, performers and sportsmen and -women, was awarded in gold to singer Miriam Makeba, and swimmers Lewis Gordon Pugh and Natalie du Toit; and in silver to athlete Khotso Mokoena and musicians Abdulla Ibrahim, Letta Mbuli, Caiphus Semenya and Jan Rabie.

The order of the Companions of OR Tambo, for foreigners who strive for justice and human rights, was awarded to Jennifer Davis, Anna Abdallah, Sadaco Ogata and the Reverend William Cullen Wilcox and his wife, Ida.

The order of Mapunguwe, for excellence in medical science and oceanographic science, was awarded to Hendrik J Kornhof, Johann Lutjeharms and Bongani Mayosi.—Sapa