BuaNews
Photo caption: Deputy Minister Gert Oosthuizen receives a Team SA t-shirt from Les Williams, 23 years and I like the adrenalin
South Africa is ready for the 2012 London Olympics this month and the athletes are confident that they will bring home at least 12 medals.
Honour and excellence rewarded
The National Orders Awards Ceremony, held at the Presidential Guest house in Pretoria, brought together South Africans and foreign nationals representative of diverse backgrounds and achievements for an evening of recognition and prestige.
Our heroes and icons
Recipients of National Orders in 2012
The names and faces that are seen on these pages represent what is possible through sacrifice, bravery, courage and dedication. These are extraordinary men and women from both inside and outside our country, some who are no longer with us. Some are born and bred of this soil, others of distant lands. Yet, all are deeply rooted to our beloved country, South Africa.
Those who received National Orders this year are:
South Africa’s National Orders
The Baobab, a tropical African tree, depicts endurance, wisdom, endowment and bounty. These are characteristics that the recipients of this Order should possess.
Various elements in the Order’s design symbolise longevity, community support, contribution, and prosperity.
Celebrating freedom, celebrating honour
Every year, on Freedom Day, South Africa pays homage to its heroes and heroines and eminent foreign nationals who have played their part in making South Africa what it is today.
South Africa is proud of you
Photo caption: Recipients of National Orders listen attentively to President Jacob Zuma’s address during the Awards Ceremony.
When a bus carrying 44 children overturned and fell into a river, Neil John Sharrocks did not think twice. He put aside his own fears and put his own life at risk to save the lives of those children.
Nqobile Nkosi is the proud owner of NQ Jewellery Design Services, the first black-owned jewellery manufacturing and retail business in Soweto. The business uses precious stones such as silver, gold, platinum and diamonds to manufacture jewellery.
Photo caption: Ponstho Kopung attending to a client.
The beauty of an entrepreneur
Young and driven, Pontsho Kopung (25) is the owner of Setsoto Hair and Beauty Salon. Based in Botshabelo, Bloemfontein, the salon offers a wide range of beauty treatments including manicures and pedicures.
In March 2011, DMT Agricultural Services Co-operative acquired a R2,5 million loan through the National Youth Development Agency’s (NYDA) SME Funding Programme. The young entrepreneurs grow plants such as tea tree and lemongrass for essential oils as well as vegetables such as maize, cabbage, spinach, green pepper, potatoes and butternut.
Photo caption: Sebenza Nathi graduates.
Eleven graduates now have a bright future after graduating from the Sebenza Nathi Project. The project, headed by the Gauteng region Department of Water Affairs and the Gauteng based Rand Water Foundation, is aimed at fighting unemployment by developing skills amongst the youth.