Recognition for cancer researcher

By Tabelo Timse

THREE top Eastern Cape achievers were among those recognised yesterday when President Thabo Mbeki handed out national honours at a gala event held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Rhodes University chemistry professor Tebello Nyokong, John Kani and Athol Fugard were honoured for their achievements in their respective fields. Nyokong received the Order of Mapungubwe in bronze. A former Shoprite Checkers/SABC2 Woman of the Year award winner, she was honoured for the groundbreaking cancer research that put her at the forefront of scientific research in South Africa.

Theatre icons Kani and Fugard were honoured with the Order of iKhamanga in silver for their contributions to theatre.

Nobel prize winners J M Coetzee and Aaron Klug received the Order of Mapungubwe in gold. Coetzee received it “for his exceptional contribution in the field of literature and for putting South Africa on the world stage”, said national orders chancellor Frank Chikane.

Klug received the Order of Mapungubwe (gold) for his contributions in the medical field.

Twenty-three others received the highest honours South Africa has to bestow on its citizens and on foreigners.

Coetzee, who now lives in Australia, received his Nobel Prize for Literature in 2002 and Lithuanian-born Klug received the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1982.

Frank Nabarro received the Order of Mapungubwe in silver and Nyokong and Himladevi Soodyall received it in bronze, for their contributions to science.

Academic N P van Wyk Louw was posthumously awarded the Order of iKhamanga (gold) for his contributions to literature and his advocacy of the rights for African languages.

Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan received the Order of iKhamanga (gold) on behalf of his father, Archibald Jordan, for his contribution to literature.

South Africa’s most capped soccer player, Lucas Radebe, was awarded the order in silver for his achievements in sport, while former Drum journalist Henry Nxumalo was awarded it posthumously in silver for excellence in South African journalism.

Allina Ndebele, whose tapestries depict African myths and legends as well as Bible stories, was awarded the Order of iKhamanga (silver) for her contributions to the arts.

Veteran actress Thoko Mgcina was awarded the order in silver for “excellent musical contribution to, and achievement in, theatre and film”.

Stephanus Lombaard, winner of seven gold and two silver medals at the Paralympic Games in 1996, 2000 and 2004, received the order in silver for his athletic achievements and serving as a role model to South Africans.

Poet, writer and visual artist Peter Clarke received the order in silver for his contribution to the arts and literature. Scottish-born Marjorie Wallace, who promoted, tutored and advised black and coloured artists, was posthumously awarded in bronze.

Nobesuthu Mbadu, Hilda Tloubatla and Nontsomi Mangxola of the Mahotella Queens received the Order of iKhamanga (bronze) for their traditional music, as did their long-time collaborator, Mahlatini Nkabinde (posthumously).

Gold medal-winning Paralympic athlete Tebogo Mokgalagadi received the Order of iKhamanga ( bronze).

Solomon Mahlangu, executed in 1979, was posthumously awarded the Order of Mendi for bravery in gold.

Additional reporting by Sapa.