SA: Rebecca Malope and the late Joseph Shabalala to receive Order of Ikhamanga

The National Order of Ikhamanga recognises South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport. The award seeks to recognise the contributions made by individuals towards building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa as envisaged in the country’s Constitution.

Malope will be bestowed with the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for her distinguished contribution to South African music while Shabalala will be posthumously honoured in Gold for his exceptional contribution to the promotion of African isicathamiya music, which he showcased on stages around the world.

“It is my privilege as chancellor of the national orders to announce the names of those South Africans and eminent foreign nationals who will be awarded national orders at an investiture ceremony to be held on 18 November 2021,” national orders chancellor and director-general in the Presidency Phindile Baleni said.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa will bestow on deserving recipients the Order of Mendi for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.”

Other recipients listed for the Order of Ikhamanga include writer David Maphalla, visual artist Fee Halsted-Berning and the late journalist Raymond Louw, among others.

National orders are the highest awards that the South African government bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

Baleni said: “We congratulate the recipients and urge all South Africans to join us in celebrating these exceptional South Africans and distinguished friends of South Africa.”

Malope, born in Lekazi near Neslpruit in Mpumalanga in 1968, boasts a music career spanning more than three decades. She has sold 10 million albums worldwide, making her one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time. Most of the 36 albums she has released have reached multi-platinum status.

Shabalala was born in the town of Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal. He started LBM in 1960 and gained local fame in the early 1970s. The a capella group's biggest break came in 1986 when Paul Simon travelled to South Africa to collaborate with local artists for his Graceland album, giving the group worldwide recognition. The following year, LBM won their first solo Grammy for the album Shaka Zulu. LBM has won five Grammys, making the group the most successful African export in terms of Grammy victories.