The beautiful and unique Ikhamanga flower (more commonly known as the strelitzia, crane or bird of paradise flower) has become one of the world’s most well-known flowers. Perhaps less known is the fact that it is indigenous to South Africa where it grows wild in the Eastern Cape. The Ikhamanga is the central motif of the Order of Ikhamanga and symbolises the unique beauty of the achievements of South Africans in the creative fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.

At the centre of this design is depicted one of the Lydenburg Heads – ancient terracotta masks found near the town of Lydenburg. Masks are traditional symbols of theatre and denote the visual, creative and performing arts.

Below the mask is an illustration of the drum, which is also a universal representation of the arts, here symbolising excellence in communication and cultural expression.

Above the mask is the stylised crest revealing the rays of the sun. The crest exemplifies a feathered headdress worn by performers, royalty and respected people, while the rays of the sun denote power, glory, illumination and vitality. Both interpretations symbolise the achievements of performers in the arts.

The central image is partially circumscribed by concentric circles signifying veneration of sporting achievement, and symbolising the acknowledgement of exceptional achievement in various sporting and cultural activities.

To the sides of the drum at the base of the central image are two roads disappearing into the horizon, suggesting that all roads lead to and from Africa, the Cradle of Humanity. They symbolise the long, hard road to achievement, excellence and success.

An award of the Order of Ikhamanga comprises three elements:

• a neck badge (a gold, silver or bronze medallion on a neck band);
• a miniature (a miniature gold, silver or bronze medallion for wearing as a brooch or on the breast pocket);
• and a lapel rosette (also in gold, silver or bronze)

Awardees of this Order are entitled to indicate that they have received the award in the relevant category through the use of the following post-nominal letters:

• OIG for recipients of the Order of Ikhamanga (gold)
• OIS for recipients of the Order of Ikhamanga (silver)
• OIB for recipients of the Order of Ikhamanga (bronze)

The Order of Ikhamanga is awarded to South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism or sport.

This award is made in three categories.

For exceptional achievement, the Order is awarded in gold.

It is awarded in silver for excellent achievement, and in bronze for outstanding achievement.

 

RECEPIENTS

2019

Mr Johaar Mosaval

Recipient: Gold

25 April 2019

Ms Nomhle Nkonyeni

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Mr Benjamin Pogrund

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Mr Achmat Davids (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Mr Mathatha Tsedu

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Mr Jacques Henry Kallis

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Ms Mary Twala Mhlongo

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Ms Yvonne “Chaka Chaka” Mhinga

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

2018

Mr Thami Mnyele (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Ms Lillian Dube

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Adv Nakedi Ribane

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr Hashim Mohammed Amla

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr Sipho Cecil Peter ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr John William Smit

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr Omar Badsha

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Ms Elana Meyer

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr Neil Robert Tovey

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr Eric Risimati Baloyi

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr John Koenakeefe Motlhankana (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr Johan Botha (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Ms Elsa Meyer

Recipient: Bronze

28 April 2018

Ms Traci Mackie

Recipient: Bronze

28 April 2018

2017

Mr Wayde van Niekerk

Recipient: Gold

28 April 2017

Mr Sizwe Lawrence Ndlovu

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Mr Zinjiva Winston Nkondo (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Mr John Smith

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Mr Matthew Brittain

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Mr James Thompson

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Mr Khaba Mkhize (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Prof Jeff Opland

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Mr Arthur Nuthall Fula (Posthumous)

Recipient: Bronze

28 April 2017

2016

Dr Benedict Wallet Vilakazi (Posthumous)

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2016

Dr Marguerite Poland

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2016

Ms Sylvia “Magogo” Glasser

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2016

Dr Thomas Hasani Chauke

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2016

Ms Laurika Rauch

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2016

2015

Darius Mfana Dhlomo (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Prof Mbulelo Vizikhungo Mzamane (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Ramakgobotla John Mekoa (1945 - )

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Winnie Busisiwe Mahlangu

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (Posthumous)

Recipient: Bronze

8 December 2015

Themba Patrick Magaisa

Recipient: Bronze

8 December 2015

2014

Ephraim Matsilele “Jomo” Sono

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Zanemvula Kizito Gatyeni “Zakes” Mda

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Lucas Sithole

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Lindiwe Mabuza

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Sandra Prinsloo

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Rashid Lombard

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Victor “Bra Vic” Mheli Ntoni (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Cameron van der Burgh

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Fanie van der Merwe

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Mokgadi Caster Semenya

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2014

2013

Zolani Mkiva

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Chad Le Clos

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Kaizer Motaung

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Pretty Yende

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Vusi Mahlasela

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Ilse Hayes

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

2012

Julian Sebothane Bahula

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2012

Jonathan “Johnny” Clegg

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2012

Muthal Naidoo

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2012

Joseph Nong “Joe” Thloloe

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2012

Gladys Faith Agulhas

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2012

Daniel “Cheeky” Watson

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2012

2011

Amandla Cultural Ensemble (1978 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2011

Daniel “Danny” Jordaan (1951 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2011

Molefi Nathanael Oliphant (1952 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2011

Irvin Khoza (1948 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2011

Mannie Manim (1941 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

David Goldblatt (1930 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

Marlene van Niekerk (1954 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

Raymond Chikapa Phiri (1947 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

Basil “Doc” Bikitsha (1930 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

Busisiwe “Busi” Victoria Mhlongo (1947 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

Josiah Thugwane (1971 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

Sindiwe Magona (1943 - )

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2011

Masana Samuel “Sam” Nzima (1934 - )

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2011

Thokozani Mandlenkosi Ernest Nene (Posthumous) (1944 - )

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2011

2010

Jonas Gwangwa

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2010

Hugh Masekela

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2010

Winston Ntshona (1941 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Makana Football Association

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Peki Emelia “Nothembi” Mkhwebane (1953 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Grant Khomo

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Percy Tseliso Peter Qoboza (1938 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Ernst Francois Van Dyk (1973 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

2009

Natalie Du toit (1984 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 March 2009

2008

Richard Selope Thema (1886 – 1955) (Posthumous)

Recipient: Gold

28 October 2008

Shaun Maclean Pollock (1973 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Lewis Nkosi (1936 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Percival Colin Montgomery (1974 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Gobingca George Mxadana (1948 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Sibongile Khumalo (1957 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Lionel Morrison (1935 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Peter Henry Abrahams (1919 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Keorapetse William Kgositsile (1938 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Stanley Hlekani Sono (1936 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Makhaya Ntini (1977 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Alfred Hutchinson (1924 – 1972)

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Zakes Mokae (1935 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Miriam Tlali (1933 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Barbara Eleanor Harcourt Jurgens (1912 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Ronald Govender (1934 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Lauretta Ngcobo (1931 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe (1956 – 2006)

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Bryan Gary Habana (1983 – )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

2007

Elisabeth Françoise Eybers Eybers (1915 - )

Recipient: Gold

24 April 2007

Schalk Pienaar (1916 - 1978)

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Mandla Langa (1950 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Mongane Wally Serote (1944 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Edward Roux (1903 - 1966)

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Morné du Plessis (1949 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

The Manhattan Brothers

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

George Moir Christie (1940 - 1998)

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Nathaniel Ndaxana Nakasa (1937 - 1965)

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

William Kentridge (1955 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Gladys Thomas (1944 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Sam Ramsamy (1938 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Henry Segome Ramaila (1924 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

2006

Alan Stewart Paton (1903 - 1988)

Recipient: Gold

20 April 2006

Tiyo Soga (1829 - 1871)

Recipient: Gold

20 April 2006

Roland Schoeman (1980 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Boy Adolphus Mvemve (1931 - 1974)

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Yvonne Bryceland (1925 -1992)

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

George Singh (1930 - 1984)

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Ryk Neethling (1981 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

André Brink (1935 - 2015)

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Donato Francisco Mattera (1935 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Canodoise Daniel Themba (1942 - 1968)

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Thandi Klaasen (1931 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Dorothy Masuka (1935 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Abigail Kubeka (1941 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Willie Bester (1956 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Esther Mahlangu (1935 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Herbert Charles Woodhouse (1919 - )

Recipient: Bronze

20 April 2006

Sibusiso Emmanuel Vilane (1970 - )

Recipient: Bronze

20 April 2006

Matlhaela Michael Masote (1941 - )

Recipient: Bronze

20 April 2006

Oscar Pistorius (1986 - )

Recipient: Bronze

20 April 2006

2005

Alfred Khumalo (1930 - )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2005

2005

Nicolaas Petrus van Wyk Louw (1906 - 1970)

Recipient: Gold

26 April 2005

Archibald Campbell Mzolisa Jordan (1906 - 1968)

Recipient: Gold

26 April 2005

Stephanus Johannes Lombaard (1969 - )

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Lucas Radebe (1969 - )

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Peter Edward Clarke (1929 - )

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Allina Ndebele (1939 - )

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Henry "Mr Drum" Nxumalo (1917 - 1957)

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Bonisile John Kani (1943 - )

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Sophie Thoko Mgcina (1938 - 2005)

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Nobesuthu Gertrude Mbadu (1945 - )

Recipient: Bronze

26 April 2005

Tebogo Mokgalagadi (1983 - )

Recipient: Bronze

26 April 2005

Marjorie Wallace (1925 - 2005)

Recipient: Bronze

26 April 2005

Nontsomi Mildred Mangxolo (1944 - )

Recipient: Bronze

26 April 2005

Mahlathini Simon Nkabinde (1938 - 1999)

Recipient: Bronze

26 April 2005

Hilda Tloubatla (1942 - )

Recipient: Bronze

26 April 2005

2004

Ingrid Jonker (1933 - 1965)

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Sewsunker Sewgolum (1930 - 1978)

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Alfred Khumalo (1930 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Theo Mthembu (1927 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Sathima Bea Benjamin (1936 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Elijah Makhathini (1942 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Vera Gow Adams (1942 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Hassan Howa (1922 - 1992 )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Dolly Rathebe (1930 - 2004)

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Elsa Joubert (1922 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Johannes Jacobus Degenaar (1926 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

James Matthews (1929 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Mapula Helen Sebidi (1943 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Victor Ralushai (1935 - )

Recipient: Bronze

16 June 2004

Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph (1948 - )

Recipient: Bronze

16 June 2004

2003

Cecil Skotnes (1926 - 2009)

Recipient: Gold

2 December 2003

Steve Mokone (1932 – )

Recipient: Gold

2 December 2003

Princess Constance Magogo Sibilile Mantithi Ngangezinye Ka Dinizulu (1900 - 1984)

Recipient: Gold

2 December 2003

Gary Player (1935 - )

Recipient: Gold

2 December 2003

Alex La Guma (1925 - 1985)

Recipient: Gold

2 December 2003

Bessie Head (1937 - 1986)

Recipient: Gold

2 December 2003

Dumile Feni (1939 - 1991)

Recipient: Gold

2 December 2003

Gladys Mgudlandlu (1925 - 1979)

Recipient: Silver

2 December 2003

Basil D’Oliviera (1931 – 2011)

Recipient: Silver

2 December 2003

Sydney Maree (1956 - )

Recipient: Silver

2 December 2003

Hestrie Cloete (1978 - )

Recipient: Silver

2 December 2003

Zanele Situ (1971 - )

Recipient: Silver

2 December 2003

Ken Gampu (1928 - 2003)

Recipient: Silver

2 December 2003

Basil “Doc” Bikitsha (1930 - )

Recipient: Silver

2 December 2003

Penelope Heyns (1974 - )

Recipient: Silver

2 December 2003

Eric Majola (1930 - 1971)

Recipient: Silver

2 December 2003

Gerrie Coetzee (1955 - )

Recipient: Bronze

2 December 2003

Goolam Abed (1935 - )

Recipient: Bronze

2 December 2003