PRETORIA– Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano was among four African leaders who have been granted one of South Africa’s highest honours, the Order of the Companions of Oliver Tambo in Gold.
Chissano, along with the former Presidents of Namibia and Liberia, Sam Nujoma and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and the late President of Botswana, Ketumile Masire, were bestowed the award here Saturday by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who paid tribute to all those who had supported the South African liberation struggle during the dark years of apartheid.
Many countries offered solidarity and opened their arms to our activists. Many people in our neighbouring countries lost life and limb for our cause. We honour those remarkable human beings who stood alongside our peopleS at home and in exileS who provided material and other assistance to our studentsS activists and combatants,” Ramaphosa said.
In doing soS we express our sincere and eternal gratitude to them for joining a struggle that was not theirsS in a land far from their ownS and for giving so muchS for so longS to so many.
Other honours were awarded to South Africans who had distinguished themselves in the fields of culture, sport, science, medicine, business, and the struggle for democracy and human rights.
The awards, Ramaphosa said, are a recognition of the many outstanding individuals who defied great odds to make an immense contribution in various spheres of life. Our freedom opened windows of opportunity for many to chase their dreams, to excel, to succeed, and in so doing to inspire others to reach beyond what they imagined possible.
He dedicated the ceremony to the memory of South Africa’s first democratically elected President, Nelson Mandela, who, more than any other, embodied the spirit and the intent of these orders.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK