The following is a list of the 2002 recipients of South Africa’s National Orders – the highest honour that a country can bestow on its citizens or eminent foreigners.
These were the first people to receive South Africa’s newly conceived National Orders, redesigned to reflect the inclusiveness and diversity of a democratic South Africa, its peoples and its place in the African continent – in essence, the spirit of the new South Africa.
Former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk were among six people awarded the Order of Mapungubwe, which honours South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement.
The late Swedish prime minister Olaf Palme, and world-famous human rights activist Mahatma Ghandi, were posthumously awarded the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo, which is bestowed on foreign dignitaries or heads of state for their solidarity with South African people. Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda also received Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo.
Constitutional Court Judge Arthur Chaskalson, Sam Motsuenyane and Adelaide Tambo were among those who received the Order of the Baobab, which honours South African citizens for distinguished service.
Order of Mapungubwe 2002
Platinum
- Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela – for his exceptional and unequalled contribution to the liberation struggle, national reconciliation and nation-building in South Africa, and for unwavering commitment to peace and justice in the world.
Gold
- Allan Cormack (posthumous) – for outstanding achievements as a scientist and for co-inventing the cat-scan.
- FW de Klerk – for his exceptional and unparalleled contribution to peace, national reconciliation and nation-building in South Africa.
- Basil Schonland (posthumous) – for outstanding achievements as a physicist and as founding president of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research.
Bronze
- Peter Beighton – for outstanding work and lifetime achievement as a scientist and for research into the inherited disorders of the skeleton.
- Hamilton Naki – for outstanding contribution to medical science.
Order of the Baobab 2002
Gold
- Arthur Chaskalson – for exceptional service in law, constitutional jurisprudence and human rights.
- Marinus Daling (posthumous) – for exceptional service in the development of business in South Africa and groundbreaking intitiatives for black empowerment in business.
- Tamsanqa Kambule – for exceptional contribution to mathematics education, human development and community service.
- Moses Mabhida (posthumous) – for exceptional contribution to the struggle against apartheid and to the development of the labour movement.
- Ismail Mahomed (posthumous) – for exceptional service in law, constitutional jurisprudence and human rights.
- Sam Motsuenyane – for exceptional contribution to the development of black business, and outstanding leadership.
- Friedel Sellschop (posthumous) – for exceptional contribution to the field of nuclear physics and for detecting the first naturally occurring neutrino.
- Mark Shope (posthumous) – for exceptional contribution to the struggle against apartheid and the development of the labour movement.
- Adelaide Tambo – for exceptional commitment to the struggle against apartheid and dedication to community service and nation-building.
Silver
- Hamilton Mvumelwano Dandala – for exceptional efforts in peace-making, the renewal of SA society and nation-building.
- Ian Haggie (posthumous) – for outstanding contribution to education, health, arts and culture and achievement in business.
- Noria Mabasa – for exceptional achievements in unique forms of fine arts under trying circumstances.
- Yvonne Muthien – for leadership and exceptional contribution to the development of a new inclusive national identity.
- Stuart Saunders – for medical research and outstanding contribution to university education.
Bronze
- Elizabeth Abrahams – for outstanding contribution to the struggle against apartheid and the labour rights of farm workers.
- Thelma Henderson – for exceptional contribution to social development.
- Eva Mokoka – for exceptional contribution to community upliftment in the fields of health and welfare.
- Clara Basenjeng Masinga – for outstanding contribution to rural development.
- Adelle Searll (posthumous) – for outstanding achievement in campaigning against drugs and for the establishment of drug-counselling centres.
Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo
Gold
- Mahatma Karamchand Gandhi (1869 – 1948) – for exceptional contribution to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and for a just world.
- Kenneth Kaunda – for exceptional contribution to the struggle against apartheid and for justice in the southern African region.
- Olaf Palme (1927 – 1986) – for exceptional contribution to the struggle against apartheid and for a just world.
Source: SA Government Online
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