South Africa’s Presidency has opened nominations for National Orders, the country’s highest awards, with submissions closing on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
National Orders are the highest awards conferred by the President, as custodian of honour, on South African citizens and eminent foreign nationals. The President is assisted by the Director-General in The Presidency, who serves as Chancellor of National Orders, and by the Advisory Council on National Orders.
The Presidency invited South Africans to nominate people from their communities and sectors who have recorded exceptional achievements or made outstanding contributions to communities or the nation at large.
Chancellor Phindile Baleni called on citizens to submit nominations as part of sustaining the integrity, inclusiveness and diversity of an institution that recognises outstanding personal endeavour, social cohesion and nation-building.
“The National Orders are a platform for the recognition of fellow South Africans and persons globally who, in exceptional ways, have historically made or are currently making important or interesting contributions to all aspects of our national life.
“From politics to popular culture, as well as the recognition of bravery and honouring the nation’s esteemed scientists and innovators, the National Orders give us an opportunity annually to be inspired by and grateful to people who have done outstanding things to shape our past and our future.
“We therefore remind people from all walks of life and backgrounds, including the youth of our country, to identify from their communities and sectors persons who, on the basis of exceptional achievements or contributions, deserve the honour of a National Order.”
Award categories#
- The Order of Mapungubwe: awarded to South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement.
- The Order of the Baobab: awarded to South African citizens for distinguished service above and beyond the ordinary call of duty, in business and the economy; science, medicine and technological innovation; and community service.
- The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo: awarded to eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to South Africa. It is an order of peace, co-operation and active expression of solidarity and support, and constitutes an essential pillar of international and multilateral relations.
- The Order of Luthuli: awarded to South Africans who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice and peace, and conflict resolution.
- The Order of Ikhamanga: awarded to South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.
- The Order of Mendi for Bravery: awarded to South African citizens who have performed extraordinary acts of bravery that placed their lives in great danger, or who lost their lives while performing those acts, including trying to save another person or property, in or outside South Africa.
How to nominate#
Nomination forms with guidelines can be downloaded from the Presidency website at www.thepresidency.gov.za/download/file/fid/2785.
Each filled nomination form must be accompanied by a motivation that includes:
- an introductory paragraph with a summary of the nominee’s achievements
- a list of exceptional milestones reached by the nominee in their career and/or international arena
- a description of the exceptional, outstanding, dedicated service or act of bravery rendered by the nominee
The closing date for nominations is 30 September 2026. Details of the annual National Orders Ceremony will be provided at a later date.
