Order of the Baobab


The Order of the Baobab is a South African civilian national honour, awarded to those for service in business and the economy; science, medicine, and for technological innovation; and community service. It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and is awarded annually by the President of South Africa. The order is named after the baobab tree, which was chosen as a symbol because of its endurance and tolerance, its vitality, its importance in agro-forestry systems, and its use as a meeting place in traditional African societies.
Until the Order of Luthuli and the Order of Ikhamanga were established in 2004, the Order of the Baobab also covered service in the fields now covered by those orders.

Current classes

The three classes of appointment to the order are, in descending order of precedence:
  • Supreme Counsellor of the Baobab in gold, for exceptional service
  • Grand Counsellor of the Baobab in silver, for distinguished service
  • ''Counsellor of the Baobab in bronze, for dedicated service''

    Symbolism

The central motif is a baobab tree, one of the oldest trees in Africa, with roots symbolising longevity. The badge is bordered by a nonagon shape, a nine-sided polygon, with each side representing one of the nine South African provinces. It represents the many different areas of possible contribution and service, in building a prosperous nation. The roughly rectangular shaped plaque, is textured to represent the baobab tree bark that is commonly used to make mats and hats.
The ribbon is gold, with recurring cream-coloured baobab silhouettes down the centre. All three classes are worn around the neck. The South African coat of arms is displayed on the reverse of the badge.
Lapel RosetteMiniatureNeck Decoration

Recipients

These are all the recipients, in order of most recent:
NameGradeDate awarded
Ms Zukiswa Patricia Matolengwe23 April 2024
Ms Blanche la Guma 23 April 2024
Mr Cornelius Ruald Strydom28 April 2023
Justice Edwin Cameron18 November 2021
Professor Lynette Denny18 November 2021
David Ingpen18 November 2021
Nolwandle Mboweni18 November 2021
Dr Hlamalani Judith Ngwenya18 November 2021
Dr Ray and Mrs Dora Phillips 25 April 2019
Mr Bongani Donald Mkhwanazi 25 April 2019
Mr Braam Jordaan25 April 2019
Mr William Smith25 April 2019
Ms Constance Mirriam Thokozile Koza 25 April 2019
Mr Maduke Lot Ndlovu 28 April 2018
Nkosinathi Freddy Ndlovu28 April 2018
Ms Violet Jacobeth Seboni 28 April 2018
Ms Nokutela Dube 28 April 2017
Mr Milner Langa Kabane 28 April 2017
Ms Getrude Ntlabati 28 April 2017
Ms Pfarelo Rebecca Ramugondo28 April 2017
Prof Olive Shisana28 April 2017
Ms Marina Nompinti Maponya 27 April 2016
Prof Helen Rees27 April 2016
Prof Rosina Mamokgethi Phakeng27 April 2016
Professor Emeritus James David Lewis-Williams8 December 2015
Douglas John Anderson8 December 2015
Dr Andrew Ross8 December 2015
Dr Mary Susan Makobatjatji Malahlela 8 December 2015
Otto Stehlik8 December 2015
Justice Yvonne Mokgoro8 December 2015
Alex Boraine27 April 2014
Chris Ball27 April 2014
Dawid Kruiper 27 April 2014
Frederik van Zyl Slabbert 27 April 2014
Katrina Esau27 April 2014
Raymond Ackerman27 April 2014
Abraham September 27 April 2014
Tshepo Thobakgale Khumbane27 April 2014
Colin Wells Eglin27 April 2013
David Jacobus Bosch 27 April 2013
Dr Sayed Mohamed Ridwan Mia27 April 2013
Herbert William Garnet De La Hunt27 April 2013
Yusuf Abramjee27 April 2013
Nontsikelelo Qwelane27 April 2013
Suraya “Bibi” Khan27 April 2013
Frank Kennan Dutton27 April 2012
Lwandle Wilson Magadla 27 April 2012
Daniel Gerhardus Krige27 April 2012
Gladys Ramahuta27 April 2012
Selwyn “Scully” Levin27 April 2012
Zane Maureen Wilson27 April 2012
Rev Phambani Jeremiah Mzimba 27 April 2011
Bishop David Patrick Russell 27 April 2011
William Sinclair Winship 27 April 2011
Nowongile Cynthia Molo 27 April 2011
Reginald Dudley Forde 27 April 2011
James Mata Dwane 27 April 2010
Joseph Sepp Blatter 27 April 2010
Imtiaz Sooliman27 April 2010
Malebone Luthuli 27 April 2010
Malefu Mphathane27 April 2010
Vincent Naidoo27 April 2010
Aanon Michael Rosholt 27 March 2009
Cyril Ramaphosa 27 March 2009
Ethel Normoyle 27 March 2009
Irene Menell 27 March 2009
Masenyeki Priscilla Mokone 27 March 2009
Roelf Petrus Meyer 27 March 2009
Khoza Elliot Mbuyisa Mgojo27 March 2009
Malethola Maggie Nkwe 27 March 2009
Rashaka Frank Ratshitanga 27 March 2009
Nana Henrietta Moabi 28 October 2008
Pius Nkonzo Langa 28 October 2008
Sir Sydney Kentridge 28 October 2008
Franklin Sonn 28 October 2008
Wiseman Lumkile Nkuhlu 28 October 2008
Raymond Bill Hoffenberg 28 October 2008
Theo Kotze 28 October 2008
Winston Njongonkulu Ndungane 28 October 2008
Filippus Letla Mminele 28 October 2008
Rebecca Beka Ntsanwisi 28 October 2008
Ruth Machobane28 October 2008
Zodwa Mqadi 28 October 2008
Eric Marooi Molobi 24 April 2007
Joyce Piliso-Seroke 24 April 2007
Rev Dale White24 April 2007
Richard John Pelwana Maponya24 April 2007
Sally Motlana 24 April 2007
Dr Anvir Adam 24 April 2007
Ephraim Sibiya 24 April 2007
Epaulette Mbeki 20 April 2006
Barney Pityana 20 April 2006
Grace Masuku 20 April 2006
Lindiwe Myeza 20 April 2006
Mamohau Ntsoane 20 April 2006
Sheena Duncan 20 April 2006
T. Wolfram Kistner 20 April 2006
Ivan Toms20 April 2006
Job Richard Rathebe 26 April 2005
University of Fort Hare 26 April 2005
Ethel Barlow26 April 2005
Revel Albert Ellis Fox 26 April 2005
Urbania Bebe Mothopeng 26 April 2005
Marjorie Manganye 26 April 2005
Fabian Defu Ribeiro 16 June 2004
16 June 2004
Brigalia Bam 16 June 2004
Dora Ndaba 16 June 2004
Helenard Joe Hendrickse 16 June 2004
Jean Sinclair16 June 2004
Edna Freinkel 16 June 2004
Mirriam Cele 16 June 2004
Mpho Sebanyoni-Mothlasedi 16 June 2004
Prince Cabangukuhle Penuel Zulu 16 June 2004
Arthur Chaskalson20 December 2002
Friedel Sellschop20 December 2002
Ismail Mahomed20 December 2002
Marinus Daling20 December 2002
Mark Shope20 December 2002
Moses Mabhida20 December 2002
Tamsanqa Kambule20 December 2002
Adelaide Tambo20 December 2002
Bishop Hamilton Mvumelwano Dandala20 December 2002
Jan Haggie20 December 2002
Noria Mabasa20 December 2002
Sam Motswenyane20 December 2002
Stuart Saunders20 December 2002
Yvonne Muthien20 December 2002
Adele Searll 20 December 2002
Clara Basenjeng Masinga20 December 2002
Eva Mokoka20 December 2002
Thelma Henderson20 December 2002