Local Authorities

Several city councils award medals to their uniformed officials, and to their citizens. In terms of the official Table of Precedence, they rank after national and provincial awards, and may not be worn together with official awards.

The cities concerned are/were Cape Town, East London, Germiston, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. In view of recent local government reorganisations and political changes, some or all of these medals may now be obsolete.

Cape Town
Cape Town, founded in 1652, is the provincial capital of the Western Cape, and the legislative capital of the Republic.

Bravery Medal (1919- )
For bravery. Originally established for the fire brigade, but later extended to all citizens. Insignia: A silver medal.

Fire Brigade 150th Anniversary Medal (1995)
Issued to mark the brigade's 150th anniversary in 1995.

Insignia: A bronze circular medal, displaying the anniversary logo (a wreathed fireman's helmet over the numerals 150 (obverse) and the city coat of arms (reverse).

Fire Brigade Long Service Medal (1919- )
Awarded to city firemen after 10 years service. Clasps are added after additional 5-year periods of service.

Insignia: A silver circular medal, displaying the city coat of arms (obverse) and a wreathed fireman's helmet with the words "For Long and Faithful Service - Vir Lange en Troue Diens" (reverse).

Traffic Department Long Service Medal (1933- )

Sources: Military Medal Society of SA Newsletters Nos 190 and 214; "City of Cape Town Fire Brigade 150 Anniversary Medal" thread on the British Medal Forum website

East London
The Eastern Cape port city of East London, founded in 1836, is now part of the Buffalo City municipality.

Fire Brigade Long Service Medal: Silver (1942- )
For 20 years service in the municipal fire brigade.

Fire Brigade Long Service Medal: Bronze (1942- )
For 10 years service in the municipal fire brigade.

Source: Military Medal Society of SA Newsletter No 214

Germiston
The Gauteng gold-mining town of Germiston, founded in 1886, is now part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council.

Fire Brigade Long Service Medal (1947-61)

Long Service Medal (1966-73)

Source: Military Medal Society of SA Newsletter No 214

Johannesburg
The gold-mining city of Johannesburg was founded in 1886 and is now the provincial capital of Gauteng.

Bravery Medal (1956-73)
For bravery in the line of duty by "non-European" uniformed staff. Awarded in gold, silver, and bronze.

Insignia: A circular medal displaying the Johannesburg city coat of arms (obverse).

Sources: Monick S: Awards of the South African Uniformed Public Services (1988); Military Medal Society of SA Newsletter No 214

Johannesburg Fire Services Medal
Insignia: A circular silver medal depicting the Johannesburg Fire Service emblem (obverse) and a fireman carrying a woman out of a building (reverse).

Sources: Rusty Knight website

Pretoria
Pretoria, founded in 1855, is the administrative capital of South Africa. It is now part of the Tshwane Metropolitan Council.

Annual Award to Mayor and Mayoress (1939- )

Pretoria Citizens' Service Medal (1919)
Awarded to Pretoria citizens who served in World War I.

Insignia: A circular bronze medal displaying the Pretoria city coat of arms (obverse) and "Pretoria Citizens Service Medal Great War 1914-19 - Dienst Medalje van Pretoria's Burgers Grote Oorlog 1914-19" (reverse).

Sources: Henk Loots: "Pretoria Citizens Service Medal" in Military Medal Society of SA Journal No 21; Military Medal Society of SA Newsletter No 214