Order of Good Hope


The Order of Good Hope or Order of the Cape of Good Hope is a dormant order of merit of the Republic of South Africa.

History

The Order of Good Hope was founded in 1973, by the republican government of South Africa, to grant those who had distinguished themselves in the promotion of international relationships and to have sensibilised the general interest towards South Africa. It was abolished in 2002.
President Nelson Mandela had announced his intention to reform the Order. The new South African government saw the Order as a relic of apartheid, above all because the insignia was considered too European (the rays, the colours, the anchor and the Latin motto of the Order. The insignia was also costing the government around 11,000 rand per initiate. In its place was created the Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo.

Classes

Awarded to foreign citizens, for promoting international relations with the increasingly isolated apartheid state. The order was originally divided into five classes:
The order was reorganised in 1988:
  • Grand Cross - for excellent meritorious service.
  • Grand Officer - for outstanding meritorious service.
  • Commander - for exceptionally meritorious service.
  • Officer - for meritorious service.
  • Member - for exceptional service.

Notable recipients of the Grand-Collar (non-exhaustive list)

Notable recipients of the Grand-Cross (non-exhaustive list)