”Feeling great” and accepting his award on behalf of all New Zealanders who fought apartheid, was how Trevor Richards expressed himself after receiving the Order of OR Tambo on Friday in Pretoria.
”I am very surprised to have received the award. Its not every day that one wakes up and wonders what award they will be receiving today,” said Richards, on whom President Thabo Mbeki bestowed the Supreme Companion of OR Tambo.
Amid much pomp and ceremony, Mbeki bestowed national orders on 30 recipients at the Union Buildings.
Handing over the orders of Mendi, Ikhamanga, Mapungubwe and the Companions of OR Tambo, Mbeki said the men and women who received the awards deserve high tribute for what they have done to enrich lives.
He said they have made it possible for the country’s diverse nation to adhere to the ancient principles of ubuntu.
”To them all, the living and the dead, on this day, the nation says bayete,” he said.
He praised their accomplishments, which he said represent the wealth of human imagination and talent brought forth from their continent.
Mbeki presented the Order of Mendi for Bravery on naval officer Etienne Gunter (bronze), Jimmy Booysens (silver) and the late Richard Molokoane (gold) for risking their lives ”so that others might live”.
Gunter entered rough seas twice, managing to save the life of a drowning 61-year-old woman in 2001.
”I didn’t think when I rushed into the sea. I just did it. I did not want to fail,” said Gunter, who described Friday as a day he would never forget.
In August 1995, Booysens saved the lives of three children trapped in a burning house. Molokoane (1957-1985), who conducted successful sabotage missions on the Sasol plant and the defence-force base at Voortrekkerhoogte, was honoured for his role in fighting apartheid.
He was killed while returning from Secunda when the former defence force found the escaping group of insurgents.
Among the other recipients on Friday were South Africa’s 2010 Soccer World Cup bid committee, which was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (gold).
The award was received by Danny Jordaan and Irvin Khoza.
The international football federation, Fifa, was also given the Companions of OR Tambo (gold) for awarding the 2010 Soccer World Cup to South Africa.
Instrumental in the decision was Fifa vice-president Lennart Johansson, who in his private capacity received the Supreme Companion of OR Tambo (gold).
”I am extremely honoured,” said Lennart, adding that it is unexpected but he is very proud.
During the ceremony, Mbeki handed awards to scientists, poets, musicians, mathematicians, journalists and sports stars.
Paralympic hero Natalie du Toit was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga (gold) for her exceptional achievements in the international sporting arena and serving as an inspiration to all South Africans.
”We are not exceptional people, we just work hard,” said Du Toit, who brought home six medals from the Athens Paralympics earlier this year.
Du Toit hopes that these awards will inspire other South Africans to put their mind to tasks in order to achieve the impossible.
Describing all the recipients, Mbeki said: ”They stand as beacons that must guide us forever as we build a society founded on the high ideals of freedom, justice, equality and human solidarity.” — Sapa