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 (SCOB) Grand Counsellor of the Baobab in silver, for distinguished service (GCOB) Counsellor of the Baobab in bronze, for dedicated service (COB)

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. + Award variations Lapel Rosette Miniature Neck Decoration

Recipients These are all the recipients, in order of most recent:

Name Grade Date awarded Ms Zukiswa Patricia Matolengwe 23 April 2024 Ms Blanche la Guma (Posthumous) 23 April 2024 Mr Cornelius Ruald Strydom 28 April 2023 Justice Edwin Cameron 18 November 2021 Professor Lynette Denny 18 November 2021 David Ingpen 18 November 2021 Nolwandle Mboweni 18 November 2021 Dr Hlamalani Judith Ngwenya 18 November 2021 Dr Ray and Mrs Dora Phillips (Posthumous) 25 April 2019 Mr Bongani Donald Mkhwanazi (Posthumous) 25 April 2019 Mr Braam Jordaan 25 April 2019 Mr William Smith 25 April 2019 Ms Constance Mirriam Thokozile Koza (Posthumous) 25 April 2019 Mr Maduke Lot Ndlovu (Posthumous) 28 April 2018 Nkosinathi Freddy Ndlovu 28 April 2018 Ms Violet Jacobeth Seboni (Posthumous) 28 April 2018 Ms Nokutela Dube (Posthumous) 28 April 2017 Mr Milner Langa Kabane (1900–1945) (Posthumous) 28 April 2017 Ms Getrude Ntlabati (Posthumous) 28 April 2017 Ms Pfarelo Rebecca Ramugondo 28 April 2017 Prof Olive Shisana 28 April 2017 Ms Marina Nompinti Maponya (Posthumous) 27 April 2016 Prof Helen Rees 27 April 2016 Prof Rosina Mamokgethi Phakeng 27 April 2016 Professor Emeritus James David Lewis-Williams 8 December 2015 Douglas John Anderson 8 December 2015 Dr Andrew Ross 8 December 2015 Dr Mary Susan Makobatjatji Malahlela (Posthumous) 8 December 2015 Otto Stehlik 8 December 2015 Justice Yvonne Mokgoro 8 December 2015 Alex Boraine 27 April 2014 Chris Ball 27 April 2014 Dawid Kruiper (Posthumous) 27 April 2014 Frederik van Zyl Slabbert (Posthumous) 27 April 2014 Katrina Esau 27 April 2014 Raymond Ackerman 27 April 2014 Abraham September (Posthumous) 27 April 2014 Tshepo Thobakgale Khumbane 27 April 2014 Colin Wells Eglin 27 April 2013 David Jacobus Bosch (Posthumous) 27 April 2013 Dr Sayed Mohamed Ridwan Mia 27 April 2013 Herbert William Garnet De La Hunt 27 April 2013 Yusuf Abramjee 27 April 2013 Nontsikelelo Qwelane 27 April 2013 Suraya “Bibi” Khan 27 April 2013 Frank Kennan Dutton 27 April 2012 Lwandle Wilson Magadla (Posthumous) 27 April 2012 Daniel Gerhardus Krige 27 April 2012 Gladys Ramahuta 27 April 2012 Selwyn “Scully” Levin 27 April 2012 Zane Maureen Wilson 27 April 2012 Rev Phambani Jeremiah Mzimba (1850) 27 April 2011 Bishop David Patrick Russell (1938) 27 April 2011 William Sinclair Winship (1927) 27 April 2011 Nowongile Cynthia Molo (1949) 27 April 2011 Reginald Dudley Forde (1940) 27 April 2011 James Mata Dwane (1848–1916) 27 April 2010 Joseph Sepp Blatter (1936) 27 April 2010 Imtiaz Sooliman 27 April 2010 Malebone Luthuli (1935) 27 April 2010 Malefu Mphathane 27 April 2010 Vincent Naidoo 27 April 2010 Aanon Michael Rosholt (1920) 27 March 2009 Cyril Ramaphosa (1952) 27 March 2009 Ethel Normoyle (1944) 27 March 2009 Irene Menell (1932) 27 March 2009 Masenyeki Priscilla Mokone (1906–2008) 27 March 2009 Roelf Petrus Meyer (1947) 27 March 2009 Khoza Elliot Mbuyisa Mgojo 27 March 2009 Malethola Maggie Nkwe (1938) 27 March 2009 Rashaka Frank Ratshitanga (1933) 27 March 2009 Nana Henrietta Moabi (1938) 28 October 2008 Pius Nkonzo Langa (1939) 28 October 2008 Sir Sydney Kentridge (1922) 28 October 2008 Franklin Sonn (1939) 28 October 2008 Wiseman Lumkile Nkuhlu (1944) 28 October 2008 Raymond Bill Hoffenberg (1923–2007) 28 October 2008 Theo Kotze (1920–2003) 28 October 2008 Winston Njongonkulu Ndungane (1941) 28 October 2008 Filippus Letla Mminele (1892–1971) 28 October 2008 Rebecca Beka Ntsanwisi (1968) 28 October 2008 Ruth Machobane(1939) 28 October 2008 Zodwa Mqadi (nee Dlamini) (1942) 28 October 2008 Eric Marooi Molobi (1945–2006) 24 April 2007 Joyce Piliso-Seroke (1933) 24 April 2007 Rev Dale White(1934) 24 April 2007 Richard John Pelwana Maponya(1926) 24 April 2007 Sally Motlana (1927) 24 April 2007 Dr Anvir Adam (1937) 24 April 2007 Ephraim Sibiya (1949) 24 April 2007 Epaulette Mbeki (1916) 20 April 2006 Barney Pityana (1945) 20 April 2006 Grace Masuku (1932) 20 April 2006 Lindiwe Myeza (1935) 20 April 2006 Mamohau Ntsoane (1952) 20 April 2006 Sheena Duncan (1932) 20 April 2006 T. Wolfram Kistner (1923) 20 April 2006 Ivan Toms(1953) 20 April 2006 Job Richard Rathebe (1897–1982) 26 April 2005 University of Fort Hare (1916) 26 April 2005 Ethel Barlow(1931) 26 April 2005 Revel Albert Ellis Fox (1924–2004) 26 April 2005 Urbania Bebe Mothopeng (1917) 26 April 2005 Marjorie Manganye (1931) 26 April 2005 Fabian Defu Ribeiro (1933–1986) 16 June 2004 (1918) 16 June 2004 Brigalia Bam (1933) 16 June 2004 Dora Ndaba (1945) 16 June 2004 Helenard Joe (Allan) Hendrickse (1927) 16 June 2004 Jean Sinclair(1908–1996) 16 June 2004 Edna Freinkel (1932) 16 June 2004 Mirriam Cele (1935) 16 June 2004 Mpho Sebanyoni-Mothlasedi (1959) 16 June 2004 Prince Cabangukuhle Penuel Zulu (1928) 16 June 2004 Arthur Chaskalson 20 December 2002 Friedel Sellschop 20 December 2002 Ismail Mahomed 20 December 2002 Marinus Daling 20 December 2002 Mark Shope 20 December 2002 Moses Mabhida 20 December 2002 Tamsanqa Kambule 20 December 2002 Adelaide Tambo 20 December 2002 Bishop Hamilton Mvumelwano Dandala 20 December 2002 Jan Haggie 20 December 2002 Noria Mabasa 20 December 2002 Sam Motswenyane 20 December 2002 Stuart Saunders 20 December 2002 Yvonne Muthien 20 December 2002 Adele Searll (1944–1998) 20 December 2002 Clara Basenjeng Masinga 20 December 2002 Eva Mokoka 20 December 2002 Thelma Henderson 20 December 2002 Noel Chabani Manganyi 14 May 2026 Kubedi Patrick Mokhobo 14 May 2026Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela 14 May 2026

See also South African civil honours

References

External links South African government website South African Medals Website