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Order Of Mendi For Bravery




The order is granted by the President of South Africa, for bravery in saving life or property. It has three classes:

  • Gold (OMBG), for conspicuous bravery.

  • Silver (OMBS), for exceptional bravery,

  • Bronze (OMBB), for outstanding bravery.


The order is named after a World War I troopship, the SS ''Mendi'', which sank after a collision in 1917 , with the loss of more than 600 (black) South African troops.

The badge of the order is oval, On the obverse is an oval African shield, depicting the ''Mendi'' with a blue crane bird flying overhead. Behind the shield are a crossed Assegai and Knobkierie (war club), and the whole design is surrounded by a border decorated with lion pawprints. The reverse displays the Coat Of Arms Of South Africa . The ribbon is gold, dotted with outlines of lion pawprints, alternately left and right.

Although this is primarily a civilian honour, there have been a few military awards, including a collective award to the South African Air Force and South African Navy units which rescued the passengers from a sinking ocean liner in 1991, and a collective award to SAAF units which carried out flood relief operations in Mozambique in 2001.


RECIPIENTS


2003





SEE ALSO




EXTERNAL LINKS


  • [http://www.info.gov.za/aboutgovt/orders/index.htm/ South African government website]

  • [http://www.geocities.com/militaf/ South African Medals Website]