Order of the Baobab


The Order of the Baobab is a South African civilian national honour, awarded to those for service in business and the economy; science, medicine, and for technological innovation; and community service. It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and is awarded annually by the President of South Africa. The order is named after the baobab tree, which was chosen as a symbol because of its endurance and tolerance, its vitality, its importance in agro-forestry systems, and its use as a meeting place in traditional African societies.
Until the Order of Luthuli and the Order of Ikhamanga were established in 2004, the Order of the Baobab also covered service in the fields now covered by those orders.

Current classes

The three classes of appointment to the Order are, in descending order of precedence:
The central motif is a baobab tree, one of the oldest trees in Africa, with roots symbolising longevity. The badge is bordered by a nonagon shape, a nine-sided polygon, with each side representing one of the nine South African provinces. It represents the many different areas of possible contribution and service, in building a prosperous nation. The roughly rectangular shaped plaque, is textured to represent the baobab tree bark that is commonly used to make mats and hats.
The ribbon is gold, with recurring cream-coloured baobab silhouettes down the centre. All three classes are worn around the neck. The South African coat of arms is displayed on the reverse of the badge.

Recipients

These are all the recipients, in order of most recent:
NameGradeDate awarded
Prof. Emeritus James David Lewis-Williams
Frank Dutton2012
Otto Stehlik
Dr. Andrew Ross
Dr. Mary Susan Makobatjatji Malahlela
Douglas John Anderson
J. Yvonne Mokgoro
Dr. Sayed Mohamed Ridwan Mia
Herbert William Garnet De La Hunt
Colin Wells Eglin
David Jacobus Bosch
Yusuf Abramjee
Suraya Khan
Nontsikelelo Qwelane
The Revd Phambani Jeremiah Mzimba
The Rt Revd David Patrick Russell
William Sinclair Winship
Nowongile Cynthia Molo
Reginald Dudley Forde
Imtiaz Sooliman
James Mata Dwane
Lord Joel Joffe
Malebone Susan Luthuli
Malefu Mphathane
Vincent Naidoo
Joyce Piliso-Seroke
Richard Maponya
The Revd Dr Barney Pityana
William Smith
Braam Jordaan