Order of Luthuli
The Order of Luthuli ( Eng. Luthuli Order ) is a South African Order of Merit that has been awarded to citizens of the country by the South African President since 2003. It recognizes important achievements and merits in the field of efforts for democracy , nation building , human rights , justice , peace and conflict resolution . Typical medal holders are anti-apartheid fighters primarily from political and trade union organizations.
This national award was named after the first African Nobel Peace Prize laureate and South African anti-apartheid fighter Albert John Luthuli . The order embodies Luthuli's vision of the full participation of all people in the socio-economic and political development of South Africa.
The order consists of a symbolized triangular flint . The aim of this material and its design is to represent a basic tool used by prehistoric ancestors to survive, which was used to make clothing from animal skins and to build huts. There are six combined statements on the medal:
- the Isandlwana hill, showing peace and quiet after the battle of Isandhlwana in 1879,
- the South African flag, represents the dawn of freedom and democracy,
- the technology, emphasizes the development of modern products,
- the two horns, symbolically take sides for his vision of a democratic, non-racist and non-sexist South Africa,
- the leopard pattern, reminiscent of the typical headgear of Albert Luthuli,
- the pearl pattern, symbolizes the beauty of Africa, and the African bull is said to represent the strength and prosperity of the people of Africa.
Order classes
The Luthuli Order is awarded in three classes:
- in gold (OLG),
- in silver (OLS),
- in bronze (OLB).
All three classes wear the award-winning medals around their necks. There is also a reduced output on the tape and a lapel pin .
Ruth First received the medal twice, in 2006 in silver and 2014 in gold.
Well-known medal bearers
| year | carrier | class |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Alfred Baphethuxolo Nzo , posthumously | OLG |
| 2003 | Amb John K Nkadimeng | OLG |
| 2003 | Archie Gumede , posthumously | OLS |
| 2003 | Albert Nolan | OLS |
| 2004 | Zachariah Keodirelang Matthews , posthumously | OLG |
| 2004 | Sol Plaatje , posthumously | OLG |
| 2004 | Thomas Nkobi , posthumously | OLG |
| 2004 | Hilda Bernstein | OLS |
| 2004 | Joe Nhlanhla | OLS |
| 2004 | Reginald "Reggie" September | OLS |
| 2005 | John Langalibalele Dube , posthumously | OLG |
| 2005 | Abdullah Mohamed Omar , posthumously | OLS |
| 2005 | Isaac Bangani Tabata , posthumously | OLG |
| 2005 | Anton Muziwakhe Lembede , posthumously | OLG |
| 2006 | Ruth First , posthumously | OLS |
| 2006 | Pixley ka Isaka Seme , posthumously | OLG |
| 2006 | Albie Sachs | OLS |
| 2006 | John Tengo Jabavu , posthumously | OLG |
| 2006 | Victoria Mxenge , posthumously | OLS |
| 2006 | Griffiths Mxenge , posthumously | OLS |
| 2007 | Gert Shadrack Sibande , posthumously | OLG |
| 2007 | Gagathura Mohambry Naicker , posthumously | OLS |
| 2008 | Robert Resha , posthumously | OLG |
| 2008 | James Arthur Calata , posthumously | OLG |
| 2008 | Walter Benson Rubusana , posthumously | OLG |
| 2009 | Denis Goldberg | OLS |
| 2009 | Jacqueline Daane-van Rensburg | OLB |
| 2009 | Brian Bunting , posthumously | OLS |
| 2010 | Stephen Dlamini | OLG |
| 2010 | Dorothy Cleminshaw | OLS |
| 2010 | Sonia Bunting , posthumously | OLS |
| 2011 | Lionel "Rusty" Bernstein , posthumously | OLG |
| 2011 | Ismael Chota Meer , posthumously | OLS |
| 2011 | Tsietsi Mashinini | OLB |
| 2011 | Florence Elizabeth Mnumzana | OLS |
| 2011 | Matsobane Morris Matsemela | OLS |
| 2011 | Nelson Diale | OLS |
| 2011 | Violet Sarah Matlou | OLB |
| 2012 | Zaccheus Richard Mahabane , posthumously | OLG |
| 2012 | James Moroka , posthumously | OLG |
| 2012 | Josiah Tshangana Gumede , posthumously | OLG |
| 2012 | Peter Mokaba , posthumously | OLS |
| 2013 | Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma | OLG |
| 2013 | Neville Alexander , posthumously | OLS |
| 2014 | Ruth First , posthumously | OLG |
| 2014 | Frances Baard , posthumously | OLG |
| 2014 | Bob Hepple | OLG |
| 2014 | Popo Molefe | OLS |
| 2014 | Arthur Letele | OLS |
| 2016 | Winnie Madikizela-Mandela | OLS |
| 2016 | Mac Maharaj | OLS |
| 2017 | Fatima sea | OLS |