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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 28 Oct 2008 Title: Motlanthe honours the nation's heroes, heroines -------------------- By Bathandwa Mbola Pretoria - President Kgalema Motlanthe has bestowed the highest honour in the country on 26 South Africans for their outstanding contribution to the country in sport, arts and literature. Addressing the recipients of the National Orders at a ceremony at the Union Buildings on Tuesday, President Motlanthe said it was because of the efforts of such people that South Africans were now able to live and develop in a world of freedom. The orders included the Order of Mendi for bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga for leading cultural workers and athletes, the Order of Mapungubwe for excellence in the fields the recipient works in and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo. The recipients included world celebrated singer Sibongile Khumalo, traditional music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South Africa's National Poet Laureate Keorapetse Kgositsile as well as sports stars Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Bryan Habana and Percy Montgomery. President Motlanthe described the recipients as beacons that must guide the nation in building a society that is founded on the high ideals of freedom, justice, equality and human solidarity. Speaking to BuaNews, Eastern Cape-born Ntini said receiving a National Order had made him more determined to remain a role model for young and old. "I hope the award will inspire the youth especially in the rural communities so that they can see that ones background does not determine the future. Also they can see that determined one can be successful in any sport code," said Mr Ntini. Despite his rural upbringing with no sporting facilities to nurture his talent, Ntini has used the fortuitous encounter with a cricket scout to consolidate his talent into a formidable force internationally. Being one of the first black cricketers to make a mark after South Africa became a democratic country in 1994, Ntini soon found himself in favour with the national cricket selectors. "It's been my dream for a long time. To take what I have learnt, and to make it accessible to the youth of the Eastern Cape, so that we can start breeding a new generation of sporting greats from the immense talent that we have in this province." Pollock, who received the award for his excellent contribution to cricket in South Africa and for being an inspiration to the national cricket team, said he hoped the award would inspire more young people to excel in their areas of sport. Described as the "fastest man in test rugby" and the holder of the title of most tries in the Rugby World Cup, Habana described the award as an inspiration. He was awarded for his excellent performance in and contributing to the improvement of the rugby game in the country. Percy Montgomery also received an honoured for "excellent achievement in the game of rugby" Patrick "Ace" Ntsoelengoe was given a posthumous honour for his excellent achievement in soccer both locally and abroad as well as his contribution to the development of the game in South Africa. Ntsoelengoe was a pillar of strength for Kaizer Chiefs and the most feared and respected football player in the 1970s and 1980s. He was also inducted to the American Football Hall of Fame. Boxing referee Stanley Hlekani Sono received acknowledgement for excellent achievement in football and boxing and contributing to the development of boxing administration and refereeing in South Africa, while sports scientist Professor Timothy David Noakes was honoured with the Order of Mapungubwe for excellent contribution to the field of sport and the science of physical exercise. On the musical front, Khumalo received the Order of Ikhamanga in silver for her contribution to the music industry. Khumalo, who grew up in Soweto, said she was humbled by the award. Authors Alfred Hutchinson and Lewis Nkosi received the silver Order of Ikhamanga for their work in literature. Hugo Nkabinde and Nomava Shangase received the gold Order of Mendi for their contribution to providing medical assistance to Umkhonto we Sizwe soldiers during the struggle. According to the Presidency, this order is awarded in gold for exceptional acts of bravery in which awardees would have placed their lives in great danger or may have lost their lives in efforts to save lives or property. Vengallil Krishnan Krishna Menon was awarded with the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in silver which is rewarded to foreign nationals, be they Heads of State and government or other dignitaries, for friendship shown to South Africa. - BuaNews |
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