South African National Defence Force

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was established in April 1994, by amalgamating the South African Defence Force, the Bophutha-tswana Defence Force, the Ciskei Defence Force, the Transkei Defence Force, the Venda Defence Force, the Azanian People's Liberation Army, and uMkhonto weSizwe. It is divided into the SA Army, the SA Air Force, the SA Navy, and the SA Military Health Service, each consisting of Regular Force (formerly Permanent Force) and Reserve Force (formerly Citizen Force and Commandos) units.

The SANDF used the former SADF decorations and medals until the current series was instituted in April 2003. It consists of eight decorations and medals, and two emblems. An innovation is the use of different languages for the names of different awards.

Nkwe ya Gauta (NG) (2003- )
The "Golden Leopard", to be awarded for exceptional bravery during military operations.

Insignia: A gold 5-armed convex cross displaying a golden leopard head on a light blue roundel. A gold arm-of-service emblem, signifying an operational award, is attached to the ribbon, whose colour represents the blue crane bird feathers once used as bravery awards by African kings.

Nkwe ya Selefera (NS) (2003- )
The "Silver Leopard", to be awarded for conspicuous bravery during military operations.

Insignia: Same design as the NG, but in silver.

Nkwe ya Boronse (NB) (2003- )
The "Bronze Leopard", to be awarded for bravery during military operations.

Insignia: Same design as the NG, but in bronze.

iPhrothiya yeGolide (PG) (2003- )
The "Golden Protea", awarded for exceptional leadership, or exceptionally meritorious service and utmost devotion to duty.

Insignia: A gold 6-pointed star displaying a gold protea flower on a blue hexagon. A gold arm-of-service emblem is attached to the ribbon if the decoration is won during a military operation.

iPhrothiya yeSiliva (PS) (2003- )
The "Silver Protea", awarded for outstanding leadership, or outstanding meritorious service and particular devotion to duty.

Insignia: Same design as the PG, but in silver.

iPhrothiya yeBhronzi (PB) (2003- )
The "Bronze Protea", awarded for leadership, or meritorious service and devotion to duty.

Insignia: Same design as the PG, but in bronze.

Tshumelo Ikatelaho (2003- )
The "General Service Medal", for service (minimum of one day) in specified military operations, belligerent or otherwise, from 27 April 2003 onwards.

Insignia: A nickel octagonal medal depicting a 9-pointed star in a laurel wreath. Clasps may be issued to identify individual operations.

Medalje vir Troue Diens (2003- )
The "Medal for Loyal Service", awarded after 10 years irreproachable service, with clasps for additional 10-year periods.

Insignia: A silver circular medal with a scalloped edge (similar to the old Good Service Medal), displaying the new SA coat of arms.

Okhankanyiweyo (2003- )
To be awarded for brave or meritorious conduct, leadership, devotion to duty, praiseworthy service, or other distinguished conduct during military operations, which does not qualify for the award of a decoration.

Insignia: A miniature bronze SA coat of arms (the new arms, introduced in 2000), to be worn on the ribbon of the relevant campaign medal.

Emblem for Reserve Force Service (RD) (2003- )
Awarded to Reserve Force members after 20 years service, at least five of which must have been in the Reserve Force.

Insignia: The letters RD in silver, worn on the ribbon of the Medalje vir Troue Diens, above the 20-years service clasp.