This Order takes its inspiration from what is seen by some to be the oldest life form in Africa, the Baobab tree, whose endemic distribution and peculiar appearance and features have made it emblematic of the tropical African landscape. Its sparse branch and leaf system (relative to its massively wide trunk) gives the Baobab (Adonsonia Digitata) the appearance, when viewed from a distance, of being permanently uprooted. In closer proximity, the Baobab, with its colossal wide trunk – sometimes exceeding a diameter of five metres – supported by the broad and strong protruding root system supporting it, has the effect of suggesting a gigantic refuge from the sun or rain. Indeed, in traditional African societies, it is often the place for meetings, shelter and rest.

While the origin of its name is lost in the many rich legends and myths of Africa, the Baobab is probably the most described tree on the continent. The oldest living Baobab is estimated to be more than 3 000 years old. The Baobab is well known for its magical powers and symbolic value to many indigenous African people, as well as its functional usefulness. The Baobab bark is used to make mats, hats, cloth and rope; its fruits are eaten; and its wood burnt as fuel.

The age and utility of this tree suggest endurance, wisdom, endowment and bounty. It perfectly symbolises the sustained and exceptional service to South Africa that is recognised by the award of the Order of the Baobab, as well as the enduring and growing status of South Africans resulting from service thus rendered.

The central motif of the Order is the image of the Baobab tree enclosed in a nine-sided polygon, which symbolises the nine provinces of our country as well as the many different areas of possible contribution and service to the nation. The exterior shape and texture are reminiscent of the bark on the trunk of the Baobab tree.

Recipients of the Order of the Baobab receive an award of three elements:

• a neck badge (a gold, silver or bronze medallion on a neck band);
• a miniature (a miniature gold, silver or bronze medallion for wearing as a brooch or on the breast pocket);
• and a lapel rosette (also in gold, silver or bronze).

Recipients of the Order are entitled to indicate that they have been invested with the relevant category of the Order by the use of the following post-nominal letters:

• GCOB for recipients of the Supreme Counsellor of the Baobab (Gold)
• GCOB for recipients of the Grand Counsellor of the Baobab (Silver)
• COB for recipients of the Counsellor of the Baobab (Bronze).

The Order of the Baobab is awarded to South African citizens for distinguished service in the fields of: business and the economy; science, medicine, and for technological innovation; and community service.

The Supreme Counsellor of the Baobab in Gold is awarded for exceptional service.

The second category, Grand Counsellor of the Baobab in Silver, is awarded for excellent service, while the Counsellor of the Baobab in Bronze is awarded for outstanding service.

 

Recipients

2019

Mr Braam Jordaan

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Ms Constance Mirriam Thokozile Koza (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Mr Bongani Donald Mkhwanazi (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Dr Ray and Mrs Dora Phillips (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Mr William Smith

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

2018

Mr Maduke Lot Ndlovu (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr Nkosinathi Freddy Ndlovu

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Ms Violet Jacobeth Seboni (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

2017

Ms Nokutela Dube (Posthumous)

Recipient: Gold

28 April 2017

Ms Getrude Ntlabati (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Mr Milner Langa Kabane (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Ms Pfarelo Rebecca Ramugondo

Recipient: Bronze

28 April 2017

Prof Olive Shisana

Recipient: Bronze

28 April 2017

2016

Ms Marina Nompinti Maponya (Posthumous)

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2016

Prof Helen Rees

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2016

Prof Rosina Mamokgethi Phakeng

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2016

2015

Professor Emeritus James David Lewis-Williams

Recipient: Gold

8 December 2015

Dr Andrew Ross

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Dr Mary Susan Makobatjatji Malahlela (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Douglas John Anderson

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Otto Stehlik

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Justice Yvonne Mokgoro

Recipient: Bronze

8 December 2015

2014

Alex Boraine

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Chris Ball

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Frederick Van Zyl Slabbert (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Raymond Ackerman

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

David Kruiper (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Katrina Esau

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Abraham September (Posthumous)

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2014

Tshepo Thobakgale Khumbane

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2014

2013

Herbert William Garnet De La Hunt

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Colin Wells Eglin

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

David Jacobus Bosch (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Yusuf Abramjee - LeadSA representative

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Dr Sayed Mohamed Ridwan Mia

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Suraya “Bibi” Khan

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2013

Nontsikelelo Qwelane

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2013

2012

Frank Kennan Dutton

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2012

Lwandle Wilson Magadla (Posthumous)

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2012

Daniel Gerhardus Krige

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2012

Zane Maureen Wilson

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2012

Selwyn “Scully” Levin

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2012

Gladys Ramahuta

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2012

2011

Rev Phambani Jeremiah Mzimba (1850 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2011

David Patrick Russell (1938 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

William Sinclair Winship (1927 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

Nowongile Cynthia Molo (1949 - )

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2011

Reginald Dudley Forde (1940 - )

Recipient: Bronze

27 April 2011

2010

Joseph Sepp Blatter (1936 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2010

James Mata Dwane (1848 - 1916)

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2010

Malebone Susan Luthuli (1935 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Malefu Mphathane

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Vincent Naidoo

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Imtiaz Sooliman

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

2009

Masenyeki Priscilla Mokone (1906 - 2008)

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Ethel Normoyle (1944 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Irene Menell (1932 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Roelf Petrus Meyer (1947 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Aanon Michael Rosholt (1920 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Cyril Ramaphosa (1952 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Rashaka Frank Ratshitanga (1933 - )

Recipient: Bronze

27 March 2009

Khoza Elliot Mbuyisa Mgojo

Recipient: Bronze

27 March 2009

Malethola Maggie Nkwe (1938 - )

Recipient: Bronze

27 March 2009

2008

Nana Henrietta Moabi (1938 - )

Recipient: Gold

28 October 2008

Pius Nkonzo Langa (1939 - )

Recipient: Gold

28 October 2008

Sir Sydney Kentridge (1922 - )

Recipient: Gold

28 October 2008

Professor Wiseman Lumkile Nkuhlu (1944 - )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Theo Kotze (1920 - 2003)

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Raymond Bill Hoffenberg (1923 - 2007)

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Winston Njongonkulu Ndungane (1941 - )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Franklin Sonn (1939 - )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Zodwa Mqadi (nee Dlamini) (1942 - )

Recipient: Bronze

28 October 2008

Ruth Machobane (1939 - )

Recipient: Bronze

28 October 2008

Filippus Letla Mminele (1892 - 1971)

Recipient: Bronze

28 October 2008

Rebecca Beka Ntsanwisi (1968 - )

Recipient: Bronze

28 October 2008

2007

Richard John Pelwana Maponya (1926 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Sally Motlana (1927 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Eric Marooi Molobi (1945 - 2006)

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Joyce Piliso-Seroke (1933 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Rev Dale White (1934 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Dr Anvir Adam (1937 - )

Recipient: Bronze

24 April 2007

Ephraim Sibiya (1949 - )

Recipient: Bronze

24 April 2007

2006

Epaulette Mbeki (1916 - )

Recipient: Gold

20 April 2006

Grace Masuku (1932 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

T Wolfram Kistner (1923 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Lindiwe Myeza (1935 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Barney Pityana (1945 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Mamohau Ntsoane (1952 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Sheena Duncan (1932 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Ivan Toms (1953 - )

Recipient: Bronze

20 April 2006

2005

University of Fort Hare (1916 - )

Recipient: Gold

26 April 2005

Job Richard Rathebe (1897 - 1982)

Recipient: Gold

26 April 2005

Revel Albert Ellis Fox (1924 - 2004)

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Ethel Barlow (1931 - )

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Urbania Bebe Mothopeng (1917 - )

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Marjorie Manganye (1931 - )

Recipient: Bronze

26 April 2005

2004

Fabian Defu Ribeiro (1933 - 1986)

Recipient: Gold

16 June 2004

Grogoriyevich Vassili Solodovnikov (1918 - )

Recipient: Gold

16 June 2004

Dora Ndaba (1945 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Jean Sinclair (1908 - 1996)

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Brigalia Bam (1933 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Helenard Joe (Allan) Hendrickse (1927 - )

Recipient: Silver

16 June 2004

Edna Freinkel (1932 - )

Recipient: Bronze

16 June 2004

Mirriam Cele (1935 - )

Recipient: Bronze

16 June 2004

Mpho Sebanyoni-Mothlasedi (1959 - )

Recipient: Bronze

16 June 2004

Prince Cabangukuhle Penuel Zulu (1928 - )

Recipient: Bronze

16 June 2004

2002

Friedel Sellschop

Recipient: Gold

20 December 2002

Tamsanqa Kambule

Recipient: Gold

20 December 2002

Mark Shope

Recipient: Gold

20 December 2002

Marinus Daling

Recipient: Gold

20 December 2002

Arthur Chaskalson

Recipient: Gold

20 December 2002

Ismail Mahomed

Recipient: Gold

20 December 2002

Moses Mabhida

Recipient: Gold

20 December 2002

Stuart Saunders

Recipient: Silver

20 December 2002

Adelaide Tambo

Recipient: Silver

20 December 2002

Sam Motswenyane

Recipient: Silver

20 December 2002

Jan Haggie

Recipient: Silver

20 December 2002

Yvonne Muthien

Recipient: Silver

20 December 2002

Noria Mabasa

Recipient: Silver

20 December 2002

Bishop Hamilton Mvumelwano Dandala

Recipient: Silver

20 December 2002

Eva Mokoka

Recipient: Bronze

20 December 2002

Clara Basenjeng Masinga

Recipient: Bronze

20 December 2002

Thelma Henderson

Recipient: Bronze

20 December 2002

Adele Searll (1944 - 1998)

Recipient: Bronze

20 December 2002