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Order of Mapungubwe

South African National award

Order of Mapungubwe
Awarded by President of South Africa
Type	Civilian national order
Established	6 December 2002
Status	Currently constituted
Grades	Platinum (OMP) Gold (OMG) Silver (OMS) Bronze (OMB)
Ribbon

The Order of Mapungubwe is a South African civilian honour awarded by the President of South Africa. It recognises South African citizens whose achievements have international impact and serve the interests of South Africa.^[1] It is South Africa's highest honour.^{[citation needed]}

The order is named after the ancient civilisation of Mapungubwe, which was located in modern-day South Africa.^[1] It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and its first recipient (in the highest class) was former president Nelson Mandela.

The order originally had three classes, and was enlarged to four in 2004:

• Platinum (OMP), for exceptional and unique achievements;
• Gold (OMG), for exceptional achievements;
• Silver (OMS), for excellent achievements; and
• Bronze (OMB), for outstanding achievements.

The badge is a horizontal oval above an inverted trapezium. Inside the oval frame is depicted a golden rhinoceros with the sun rising above Mapungubwe Hill in the background. The convex upper edge of the trapezium is decorated with a beadwork pattern and the sides are edged with sceptres. In the centre is an ornate crucible from which molten gold flows down to a red furnace. The South African coat of arms is displayed on the reverse.

The ribbon is gold, edged with a line of cream-coloured bead-like dots along each edge, and recurring cream-coloured rhinoceros silhouettes down the centre. All four classes are worn around the neck.

• South African civil honours
• Golden Rhinoceros of Mapungubwe

• South African government website
• South African medals website
• South African History Online