By Anita Dangazele
- Jonathan Butler broke South Africa’s racial radio barrier in the 1980s, worked with Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder, and is only receiving his National Order now.
- Norman Hlabane spent six decades coaching boxers out of a Soweto gym and shaped world champions including Dingaan Thobela, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and Harry Simon.
South Africa gave out its highest honours on Tuesday. Some of the people who received them have been waiting a long time.
President Cyril Ramaphosa pinned National Orders on 36 recipients at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria. The awards go to South Africans and foreign nationals who have advanced democracy and improved the lives of people in this country. This year’s list spans arts, sport, science, medicine and the liberation struggle.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus received the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold. He took over a struggling national side in 2018 and led the Springboks to back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023. He also appointed Siya Kolisi as the first Black Springbok captain.
Kwaito pioneer Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa and flautist Wouter Kellerman also received the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold, recognised for their contributions to music and youth development, and to music and community development respectively.
But some of Tuesday’s most striking recipients are less famous.
Andiswa Gebashe grew up in a home where sign language came before speech. Her father was deaf, and South African Sign Language was the language she learned first.
“I don’t remember how old I was,” she said.
“It’s like, how old were you when you learned how to speak? I signed before I spoke.” She went on to become the first South African Sign Language interpreter on the Miss South Africa stage, in 2024. She received the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver.
Jonathan Butler received the same honour. He grew up in Athlone, Cape Town, and became the first Black South African artist to get airplay on white-designated radio stations. He had to build his career abroad. His 1987 hit “Lies” reached number 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination. He has recorded more than 28 albums and worked with Whitney Houston, George Benson and Stevie Wonder.
Norman Hlabane, known in boxing circles as Bra Knox, spent six decades working out of grassroots gyms in Soweto. He started coaching in 1976 and built Dingaan Thobela from a 14-year-old amateur into a multi-time world champion. He also trained Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Peter Malinga and Harry Simon. He received the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for his contribution to boxing and youth development.
Nine of Tuesday’s honourees received their awards posthumously, including jazz pioneers Kippie Moeketsi and Jonny Dyani, choral composer Benjamin Tyamzashe and author Dalene Matthee.
Nhlanhla Sibisi, CEO of the Recording Industry of South Africa, said the honourees had “carried the story of our nation through rhythm, harmony and fearless creativity.”
Pictured above: President Cyril Ramaphosa at the National Orders Investiture Ceremony in Pretoria on Tuesday, 19 May 2026.
Image source: Supplied
