Orders, decorations, and medals of South Africa

South African orders, decorations and medals are those military and civilian orders, decorations and medals issued by the Government of South Africa. The following is a (non exhaustive) list of these:

South Africa became a republic outside the Commonwealth on 31 May 1961.

The Union of South Africa King's Medal for Bravery was instituted in 1939 to award South African citizens for exceptional gallantry in saving life. The decoration had two grades (Gold and Silver) and had a blue ribbon with orange edges. The medal lapsed on 31 May 1961, when South Africa became a republic, albeit, outside the Commonwealth.

The Woltemade Decoration for Bravery was a revived, republican version of the King's/Queen's Medal for Bravery. It was instituted in 1970 and was awarded until 1988, when it was replaced by the Woltemade Cross for Bravery.

The Woltemade Cross for Bravery (post nominal letters: WD) was instituted in 1988, replacing the Woltemade Decoration, to award South African citizens for outstanding bravery in saving life. The cross had two grades (Gold and Silver) and had a blue ribbon with orange edges. The Woltemade Cross was discontinued in 2002.

The Order of the Baobab (SCOB/GCOB/COB) was instituted in 2002 to award South African citizens for services to democracy, human rights, arts and sciences and community service. The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The Order of Ikhamanga (OIG/OIS/OIB) was instituted in 2003 to award South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport. The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The Order of Luthuli was instituted in 2003 to award South African citizens who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation building, justice, peace and conflict resolution. The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The Order of Mapungubwe (OMP/OMG/OMS/OMB) was instituted in 2002 to award South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement. The order has four grades: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo (SCOT/GCOT/COT) was instituted in 2002 to award heads of state and senior diplomats of other countries for showing friendship towards South Africa. The order has three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The Order of Mendi for Bravery (OMBG/OMBS/OMBB) (originally the Mendi Decoration for Bravery) is awarded to South African citizens who have performed an extraordinary act of bravery that placed their lives in great danger, or who lost their own lives, including in trying to save the life of another person, or by saving property, in or outside the Republic of South Africa. The order has three grades (post nominal letters in brackets): Gold (OMBG), Silver (OMBS) and Bronze (OMBB). The ribbon is gold coloured and has cream coloured lion footprints upon it.

The Order of South Africa is awarded to foreign heads of state. It has one grade (Gold). It was awarded to Xi Jinping in 2023.