Pretoria: The Chancellor of the National Orders, Director-General in the Presidency, Phindile Baleni, has announced the names of South Africans and foreign nationals who will be awarded National Orders next week.

According to South African Government News Agency, Baleni made public the names of the recipients on Thursday, revealing that an investiture ceremony will be held on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. National Orders are the highest awards that the country, through the President, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will bestow on deserving recipients the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe, and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo. These awards recognize contributions to the building of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa as envisaged in the Constitution.

The Order of Ikhamanga, which acknowledges excellence in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sport, will honor individuals including Mr. Johan Rassie Erasmus for leadership in rugby, Mr. Wouter Kellerman for contributions to music, and several posthumous awards for contributions to jazz, journalism, and the arts.

The Order of the Baobab will recognize contributions to community service, business, economy, science, medicine, and technological innovation. Noteworthy recipients include Prof. Chabani Noel Manganyi (posthumous) for intellectual activism and Prof. Kubedi Patrick Mokhobo for his impact in cardiology.

The Order of Luthuli will be awarded to individuals dedicated to a non-racial, non-sexist, and democratic South Africa. Posthumous awards will go to Mr. Jack Simons and Ms. Ray Alexander Simons for their liberation efforts, among others.

The Order of Mapungubwe celebrates exceptional achievements benefiting South Africa and beyond. Prof. Tulio de Oliveira and Prof. Salim Abdool Karim will receive this honor for their respective contributions to scientific research and medical science.

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo honors eminent foreign nationals for their friendship and support. Recipients include Ms. Teresa Hillary Clarke for her leadership in education and Mr. Pierre Magnee for his alliance with the liberation movement.

Baleni congratulated the recipients and called on all South Africans to join in celebrating the outstanding South Africans and distinguished friends of South Africa.