Two Indian-origin South Africans have been bestowed with South Africa's top civilian awards by President Jacob Zuma for their contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights and nation-building.
The National Order was bestowed in bronze to Kay Moonsamy and Mohammad Tickly for their roles in the freedom struggle in South Africa.
TheOrder of Luthulirecognises South African citizens who have contributed to the struggle for democracy, nation-building, building democracy and human rights, justice and peace as well as for the resolution of conflict.
"We confer the Order today to Kay Moonsamy, a trade unionist and South African Communist Party and African National Congress (ANC) veteran who remained committed to the struggle despite detentions and torture by the apartheid regime," Zuma said yesterday in a ceremony here.
"Mohammed Tickly, former Secretary of the ANC's Education Committee, earns the honour for his contribution to the education of ANC cadres in Tanzania. Under his directorship of the African National Congress school the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College groomed many young freedom fighters," Zuma said.
Twenty three South Africans and nine other foreign nationals were also given the award.
The annual ceremony, the 21st since the election of Nelson Mandela as the country's first democratically-elected president, was original scheduled on the traditional Public Holiday of Freedom Day on April 27, when Mandela was sworn in in 1994.
It was deferred this year due to widespread xenophobic violence at the time out of respect for a number of local and foreign people who were killed.
The National Orders in several categories and classes are the highest awards that South Africa bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and who have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.
The National Orders also recognise the contributions made by individuals who contributed to a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa .
TheOrder of the Companions of OR Tamborecognises eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to South Africa. Previous recipients have inclureciepts ded Mahatma Gandhi.
