Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold on Tuesday for his inspirational leadership that has seen the Springboks dominate world rugby and bring South Africans together like few things can.

President Cyril Ramaphosa awarded the country’s top honour to Erasmus during a ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Tshwane, saying his victories on the rugby field have boosted the nation’s reputation around the world.

It was a day filled with cheers, applause and plenty of emotion as 40 people received National Orders while their families and friends looked on with pride.

“We’re here this morning to honour those among us who, in many different ways, have shaped the country we call home,” Ramaphosa said before handing out the awards.

The president said these men and women have become the backbone of the nation through their work and efforts to build a better South Africa.

“They’ve made their mark in music, politics, sports, literature, culture, medicine, science, education and fighting for human rights. In all these areas, they’ve made a huge difference to our national life,” he said.

Talking about the Order of Ikhamanga, which celebrates excellence in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport, Ramaphosa said this year’s winners show just how powerful sport, arts and culture can be in capturing what the nation hopes for and celebrates.

“It shows the diversity and richness of the South African experience and the many ways our nation’s life is interpreted and expressed,” he said.

Erasmus shared the spotlight with flautist and composer Wouter Kellerman, who also got the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold for his amazing music career and for using music to inspire young people.

Several cultural legends received the honour posthumously, including jazz composer Todd Matshikiza, music scholar Khabajane Vivian Mngoma and saxophonist Jeremiah Kippie Moeketsi.

Musician Jonathan Butler, who started as a teen performer in Athlone, Cape Town, and became an international studio artist and performer, received the Order in silver.

Sign language interpreter Andiswa Gebashe got the silver award for breaking down barriers and making sure the Deaf community gets proper representation in arts, media and education.

Professor Tulio de Oliveira, who discovered the Omicron COVID-19 variant, and Professor Salim Abdool Karim, known for his HIV/Aids and TB research and COVID-19 leadership, both received the Order of Mapungubwe in gold.

Ramaphosa said their work shows how South Africa is making its mark internationally in science and medicine.

“Their achievements remind us that scientific work isn’t just about knowledge for its own sake, but about protecting lives, improving health and building a better life for everyone,” he said.

The Order of Luthuli went to liberation struggle heroes Jack Simons and Ray Alexander Simons (both posthumously) for their fight against apartheid.

“It recognises the men and women whose activism showed us the path to freedom and those who keep that flame burning,” Ramaphosa said.

He stressed how important it is to honour struggle veterans while they’re still alive to share their stories.

“Time has taken away many of the brave men and women who led the fight for liberation, but we celebrate those still here to tell their stories and pass on their legacy to the next generation,” he said.

Professor Chabani Noel Manganyi received the Order of the Baobab in gold posthumously for his work as a thought leader in Black Consciousness and Black identity.

Five foreign nationals got the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo for their friendship with South Africa, including Teresa Hillary Clarke from the US, who started the Student Sponsorship Programme of South Africa.

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Ramaphosa thanked international allies who stood with South Africa during the apartheid struggle.

“We didn’t win our freedom alone. We were carried by a great wave of human solidarity that stretched across our continent and the world,” he said.

The president also thanked the families for sharing their loved ones with the nation.

“I want to thank the families here today for letting us share these great sons and daughters of our soil,” he said.

Ramaphosa said the recipients represent the same values of dignity, equality and freedom that form the foundation of our Constitution.

“In a land full of heroes and heroines, the South African people have decided these are the men and women they will lift to the sky. This is the greatest honour,” he said.

Full list of 2026 National Orders recipients

Order of Ikhamanga

Gold:

• Johan Rassie Erasmus
• Wouter Kellerman
• Todd Matshikiza (posthumous)
• Prof Khabajane Vivian Mngoma (posthumous)
• Jeremiah Kippie Morolong Moeketsi (posthumous)
• Queeneth Maria Ndaba (posthumous)
• Molefe Pheto (posthumous)

Silver:

• Jonathan Kenneth Butler
• Jonny Mbizo Dyani (posthumous)
• Andiswa Precious Gebashe
• Norman Hlabane
• Dr Trevor Jones
• Dr Oliver Kgadime Matsepe (posthumous)
• Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa
• Prof Deuteronomy Bhekinkosi Zeblon Ntuli
• Benjamin John Peter Tyamzashe (posthumous)

Bronze:

• Gavin James Krastin
• Dalene Matthee (posthumous)
• Samuel Mhangwani

Order of the Baobab

Gold:

• Professor Chabani Noel Manganyi (posthumous)

Silver:

• Professor Kubedi Patrick Mokhobo

Bronze:

• Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela

Order of Luthuli

Gold:

• Jack Simons (posthumous)
• Ray Alexander Simons (posthumous)

Silver:

• Mmagauta Molefe
• Caiphus Nyoka (posthumous)

Bronze:

• Adele Kirsten

Order of Mapungubwe

Gold:

• Professor Tulio de Oliveira
• Professor Salim Abdool Karim

Silver:

• Prof Keertan Dheda
• Professor Vukosi Ntsakisi Marivate

Bronze:

• Prof Priscilla Baker
• Prof Karen Sliwa-Hahnle

Order of the Companions of OR Tambo

Silver:

• Teresa Hillary Clarke (USA)
• Pierre Magnee (The Netherlands)
• Antonio Cordeiro Gomez (Mozambique) (posthumous)
• Prof Cherif Keita (Mali)
• Naomi Kleinfeld (The Netherlands)