Archbishop Njongo Ndungane Honoured

23 April 2008

Pretoria, South Africa: President Thabo Mbeki today awarded Archbishop Njongo Ndungane the “Order of the Grand Counsellor of the Baobab: Silver”

Archbishop  Ndungane, who retired as Archbishop of Cape Town in December last year,  is the President and Founder of African Monitor; a continental body that acts to monitor development funding commitments by donors and African governments and investigates how grassroots communities actually benefit from development programmes. He is also heading the Historic Schools Restoration Project which seeks to revive historically significant – and at present under-resourced – South African schools as centres of cultural and educational excellence.

The President gave the award for the Archbishop’s “excellent contribution to the struggle against apartheid and striving for a world free of wars, poverty and inequality”.“I am extremely honoured by the President’s recognition of the work I have been doing. It is very rewarding and encouraging to be acknowledged in this wonderful way”, says Archbishop Ndungane. “I would like it noted that I have never worked alone, but with the partnership of a number of dedicated organizations and individuals with similar goals to my own.  I owe this achievement to their efforts and support.”

ENDS 

Background Note for Editors

History

The birth of a new non-racial and non-sexist democracy in South Africa necessitated a critical review of the system of National Orders. The previous system consisted of one Decoration and four Orders whose symbolic aesthetic was representative of the past. Seeking to move away from the past, in May 1998, the newly instituted President’s Advisory Council on National Orders was given the task and responsibility to review the system of National Orders and Awards. To implement the task, a technical committee was constituted which embarked on an extensive and inclusive research process that involved public consultations, interviews with stakeholders on a national scale, group discussions focusing on alternative systems, the commissioning of historical research and the gathering of jewellery and medal designers to design new medals through a design brief. 

National Orders

National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals. The President as the fount (holder, cradle, main source) of honour in the country bestows these Orders and Decorations and is assisted by the Director-General in The Presidency, who is the Chancellor of National Orders, and the Advisory Council on National Orders, in the execution of this responsibility. 

The Order of the Baobab

This Order takes its inspiration from what is seen by some to be the oldest life form in Africa, the Baobab tree, whose endemic distribution and peculiar appearance and features have made it emblematic of the tropical African landscape.  Recipients of the Order are entitled to indicate that they have been invested with the relevant category of the Order by the use of the following post nominal letters: 

• SCOB for recipients of the Supreme Counsellor of the Baobab (Gold)

• GCOB for recipients of the Grand Counsellor of the Baobab (Silver)

• COB for recipients of the Counsellor of the Baobab (Bronze). 

For more information on National orders: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/orders/042605/part5a.pdf.