Order of Mapungubwe: History, Classes and Recipients
A guide to South Africa’s Order of Mapungubwe, including what it recognises, its four classes, symbolism, post-nominal letters and notable recipients.
What is the Order of Mapungubwe?
The Order of Mapungubwe is one of South Africa’s six current National Orders. It is awarded to South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement, placing it among the country’s highest forms of official recognition. [1][2][3]
Unlike the other current National Orders, the Order of Mapungubwe is conferred in four classes rather than three: platinum, gold, silver and bronze. The Presidency lists the corresponding post-nominal letters as OMP, OMG, OMS and OMB. [1]
Why the Order is named after Mapungubwe
The Order takes its name and central symbolism from Mapungubwe, the pre-colonial kingdom whose capital was centred on Mapungubwe Hill in present-day Limpopo. The Presidency describes the kingdom as a sophisticated society with developed agriculture, mining, metallurgy and long-distance trade. [1]
Objects excavated at Mapungubwe also shape the design of the Order. The badge incorporates the well-known gold rhinoceros, an overflowing urn, two sceptres and references to metalworking and pottery. In the Presidency’s explanation of the design, these elements represent knowledge, craft, abundance, scientific achievement and artistic expression. [1]
The four classes
Recipients receive a neck badge, a miniature and a lapel rosette in the metal associated with the class of the award. Platinum is the highest class, followed by gold, silver and bronze. [1]
The post-nominal letters are OMP for platinum, OMG for gold, OMS for silver and OMB for bronze. These letters allow recipients to indicate formally that they have been invested in the relevant class of the Order. [1]
Notable recipients
Nelson Mandela received the Order of Mapungubwe in Platinum in 2002. The official National Orders booklet cited his role in the liberation struggle, national reconciliation and nation-building. [4]
In the 2026 National Orders announcement, Professor Tulio de Oliveira and Professor Salim Abdool Karim were named for the Order of Mapungubwe in Gold. De Oliveira was recognised for scientific research associated with identifying the Omicron variant of COVID-19, while Abdool Karim was recognised for work in medical science, public health, HIV/Aids, tuberculosis research, health policy and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. [5]
How people are nominated
Members of the public may nominate candidates for National Orders. For the 2026 nomination cycle, The Presidency asked nominators to provide a summary of the nominee’s achievements, a list of exceptional milestones and a description of the exceptional service or achievement for which the person was being proposed. [3]
The Presidency states that the President bestows the National Orders and is assisted by the Chancellor of National Orders and the Advisory Council on National Orders. The Order of Mapungubwe therefore sits within a broader national honours system rather than operating as a stand-alone award. [2]
Sources
- The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, The Order of Mapungubwe. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
- The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, National Orders. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
- The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, The Presidency invites nominations for National Orders, 2026-09-08. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
- The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, National Orders Booklet 2002, 2002-12-10. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩
- The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, The Presidency announces recipients of National Orders, 2026-05-14. Original source. Accessed 2026-09-24. ↩