The late Oliver Reginald Tambo played a central role in the freedom struggle against apartheid, and dedicated his life to overthrowing the apartheid regime. He was known for his gentle character and compassionate qualities. His leadership of the struggle against apartheid, at an international level, galvanised world opinion against the apartheid regime. His benevolence and personal concern for the plight of freedom fighters and their conditions in the field endeared him to thousands of liberation fighters.

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo is awarded in three categories to eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to South Africa. It is therefore concerned primarily with matters of peace, cooperation, international solidarity and support and is integral to the execution of South Africa’s international and multilateral relations.

In the design of the main badge of this Order, the enveloping and watchful eye of the majola symbolises the active expression of solidarity and support for South Africa.

In African mythology, the majola (mole snake) visits babies in a spirit of benevolence. The snake comes as a friend and protector to prepare the baby for a successful and safe adult life. The mole snake can be aggressive and can give painful bites but is non-venomous. The majola’s visitation is seen as an active expression of solidarity and support, encouraging long-term success of the young and, by extension, the human race.

In the centre is a tomoye of four sections, inspired by the universal ying and yang that speak of a meeting point for diverse spiritual energies. This is enclosed by north and south pointers representing the relationship between countries of the north and countries of the south.

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo comprises four 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);
• a lapel rosette (also in gold, silver or bronze);
• and a wooden ceremonial staff incorporating an entwined mole snake.

The stick, carved out of dark, indigenous wood, symbolises appreciation for the support and solidarity shown, and also a commitment to support and stand by the recipient in return.

The Supreme Companion of OR Tambo in gold is awarded to those who have actively promoted the interests and aspirations of South Africa through excellent cooperation and active expression of solidarity and support.

The Grand Companion of OR Tambo in silver is awarded to those who have actively promoted the interests and aspirations of South Africa through outstanding cooperation, solidarity and support.

The Companion of OR Tambo in bronze is awarded to those who have actively promoted the interests and aspirations of the Republic through cooperation, solidarity and support.

 

Recipients

2019

Prof Amii Omara-Otunnu (US/Uganda)

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Ms Lucia Raadschelders ((Posthumous (The Netherlands))

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Mr Klaas de Jonge (The Netherlands)

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

His Excellency Admiral Didier Ignace Ratsiraka (Madagascar)

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Archbishop Khotso Makhulu (United Kingdom (UK))

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Prof Paulette Pierson-Mathy (Belgium)

Recipient: Silver

25 April 2019

Dr Riccardo Sarra (Italy)

Recipient: Bronze

25 April 2019

2018

His Excellency Dr Samuel Daniel Sam Nujoma (Namibia)

Recipient:  Gold

28 April 2018

Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia)

Recipient: Gold

28 April 2018

His Excellency Mr Joaquim Alberto Chissano (Mozambique)

Recipient: Gold

28 April 2018

His Excellency Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire (Posthumous) (Botswana)

Recipient: Gold

28 April 2018

Ambassador Alexander Sergeevich Dsasokhov (Russia)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Mr Vyacheslav Tetekin (Russia)

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2018

Ms Rosita Johnson (USA)

Recipient: Bronze

28 April 2018

2017

His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao – Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Recipient: Gold

28 April 2017

Mr Maurice Bogatsu (Posthumous) – Botswana

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

Ms Euzhan Palcy – Martinique

Recipient: Silver

28 April 2017

2016

President Michelle Bachelet Jeria (Chile)

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2016

Maria Petronella Adriana Kint (The Netherlands)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2016

Noureddine Djoudi (Algeria)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2016

2015

Brian Mulroney

Recipient: Gold

8 December 2015

General Hashim Mbita

Recipient:  Gold

8 December 2015

Lars Nordbo

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Dr Lim Kok Wing

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Prof Gay McDougall

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Ambassador Andrey Yurievich Urnov

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Ambassador Vladimir Kazimirov

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Peter Gerald Hain

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

Prof Gareth Evans

Recipient: Silver

8 December 2015

2014

Agostinho Neto (1922 - 1979)

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2014

Alexander Moumbaris (France)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Jeanne Martin Cissé

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Ruth Neto (Angola)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Jerry David Dammers (United Kingdom)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Alfre Woodard (United States of America (USA))

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Thomas Karis (United States of America (USA))

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Lord Neil Kinnock (United Kingdom (UK))

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

Lord Richard Samuel Attenborough (United Kingdom)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2014

2013

Percival Noel James Patterson

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2013

Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Enuga Screenivasulu Reddy (India)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Dina Forti

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

Giuseppe Soncini (Posthumous)

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2013

2012

Professor Christopher John Robert Dugard

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2012

Edward M Kennedy (Posthumous)

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2012

Professor Apollon B Davidson

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2012

Randall Robinson

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2012

2011

Luis Inácio Lula da Silva (1945 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2011

Andrew Jackson Young (1932 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

Viacheslav “Ivan” Shiryaev (1938 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

Hélène Passtoors (1942 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2011

2010

Issa Hayatou (1946 - )

Recipient:  Gold

27 April 2010

President José Eduardo dos Santos (1942 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2010

Joseph Sepp Blatter (1936 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2010

Jacques Rogge

Recipient: Gold

27 April 2010

Lord Joel Joffe (1932 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Vernon Berrange

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

Hebert and Joy Kaiser

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

George Houser (1916 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 April 2010

2009

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz (1926 - )

Recipient: Gold

27 March 2009

Per Wästberg (1933 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Andimba Toivo ya Toivo (1924 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Bengt Säve-Söderbergh (1940 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Marcelino dos Santos (1929 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Sadako Ogata (1927 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Christian Krause (1940 - )

Recipient: Silver

27 March 2009

Jennifer Davis (1933 - )

Recipient: Bronze

27 March 2009

2008

Chief Emeka Anyaoku (1933 - )

Recipient: Gold

28 October 2008

Philip Potter (1921 - )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Ronald Dellums (1935 - )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon (1897 - 1974)

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Harold George ‘Harry’ Belafonte (1927 - )

Recipient: Silver

28 October 2008

Linda Biehl (1943 - )

Recipient: Bronze

28 October 2008

2007

Chief Joseph Leabua Jonathan (1914 - 1987)

Recipient: Gold

24 April 2007

Shridath ‘Sonny’ Surendranath Ramphal (1928 - )

Recipient: Gold

24 April 2007

Dr Eric Eustace Williams (1911 - 1981)

Recipient: Gold

24 April 2007

Canon L John Collins (1905 - 1982)

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Michael Kitso Dingake (1928 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Dr Ali Al Amin Mazrui (1933 - )

Recipient: Silver

24 April 2007

Salman El-Herfi (1944 - )

Recipient: Bronze

24 April 2007

Mandlenkosi Aloysius Isaac Zwane (1932 - 1980)

Recipient: Bronze

24 April 2007

2006

Seretse Khama (1921 - 1980)

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Modibo Keita (1915 - 1977)

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

Sotiris Mousouris (1936 - )

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

King Moshoeshoe II (1938 - 1996)

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

King Sobhuza II (1899 - 1982)

Recipient: Silver

20 April 2006

2005

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 - 1964)

Recipient: Gold

26 April 2005

Sheik Yusuf (1626 - 1699)

Recipient: Gold

26 April 2005

Ahmed Sukarno (1901 - 1970)

Recipient: Gold

26 April 2005

Diallo Telli Boubacar (1925 - 1977)

Recipient: Gold

26 April 2005

Motsamai Keyecwe Mpho (1921 - )

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

Vladimir Gennadyevich Shubin (1939 - )

Recipient: Silver

26 April 2005

2004

Ahmed Sékou Touré (1922 - 1984)

Recipient: Gold

16 June 2004

Gamal Abdel Nasser (1918 - 1970)

Recipient: Gold

16 June 2004

Lennart Johasson (1920 - )

Recipient: Gold

16 June 2004

Trevor Richards (1946 - )

Recipient: Gold

16 June 2004

2002

Olof Palme (1927 - 1986)

Recipient: Gold

20 December 2002

Kenneth David Kaunda (1924 - )

Recipient:  Gold

20 December 2002

Mahatma Ghandi (1869 - 1948)

Recipient: Gold

20 December 2002