Not one top South African businessperson has ever received the highest honour in South Africa

Despite their tremendous contribution to South Africa, not a single top South African businessperson has ever been awarded the Order of Mapungubwe.

The Order of Mapungubwe is the highest National Order awarded by the President of South Africa to individuals for their exceptional achievements and contributions to society.

National Orders are awards that the country, through its President, can bestow on individual South Africans and eminent foreign leaders and personalities.

On 27 April 2002, new National Orders were unveiled, featuring designs that incorporate indigenous symbols and take into consideration communities previously excluded.

• The Order of Mapungubwe is awarded to South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement.

• The Order of the Baobab is awarded for distinguished service in business and the economy, science, medicine, technological innovation, and community service.

• The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo is awarded to heads of state and dignitaries for promoting peace, cooperation, and friendship with South Africa.

• The Order of Luthuli is awarded to South Africans who contributed to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice and peace, and conflict resolution.

• The Order of Ikhamanga is awarded for excellence in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sport.

• The Order of Mendi for Bravery is awarded to those who have performed extraordinary acts of bravery, risking their lives.

The first thing that stands out about these awards is that the economy and business are only mentioned in the Order of the Baobab.

This indicates that the National Orders do not assign the same level of importance to business and economic endeavours as to other fields.

What is even more telling is that no top South African businessperson has ever been awarded an Order of Mapungubwe.

Although a handful of businesspeople received the Order of the Baobab, most top entrepreneurs and industry leaders have not received any recognition.

South Africa boasts numerous globally renowned businesspeople and entrepreneurs, including Johann Rupert, Adrian Gore, Brian Joffe, Patrice Motsepe, and Nicky Oppenheimer.

You also have Michiel Le Roux, Koos Bekker, Stephen Saad, Ivan Glasenberg, Christo Wiese, Whitey Basson, Sol Kerzner, Douw Steyn, and Donald Gordon.

These individuals have created businesses that employ thousands of people and pay billions in taxes, which in turn support the country and its citizens.

Many of these businesspeople and their families are also philanthropists, donating billions to worthy causes like conservation, education, and land reform.

For example, Billionaire Johann Rupert and his wife, Gaynor, helped 10,000 underprivileged South Africans to own land and houses.

The Rupert family was also a founding member of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Peace Parks Foundation, and they support numerous educational development initiatives.

Nicky Oppenheimer and his family are equally generous. They donate billions through the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and Oppenheimer Generations.

These businessmen have been honoured locally and internationally, with honorary doctorates, global awards, and numerous other accolades.

However, despite their tremendous contributions to society, they are overlooked by the President for the Order of Mapungubwe.

This illustrates how the South African President views the world and what he and his government see as a valuable contribution to society.

Not giving businesspeople, and business as a whole, the recognition and respect they deserve has consequences. This is seen in the country’s poor economic growth.

Order of Mapungubwe

The individuals below received the Order of Mapungubwe from the President of South Africa.