IPhrothiya yeSiliva

South African military decoration

Award

iPhrothiya yeSiliva
Silver Protea

Type| Military decoration for merit
Awarded for| Outstanding leadership or outstanding meritorious service and particular devotion to duty
Country|  South Africa
Presented by| the President
Eligibility| All ranks
Post-nominals| PS
Status| Current
Established| 27 April 2003

Ribbon bar

Order of wear
Next (higher)|  Silver Medal for Merit
Next (lower)|  Danie Theron Medal

The iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea, post-nominal letters PS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003. It can be awarded to all ranks who have distinguished themselves by outstanding leadership or outstanding meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. It is South Africa's second highest existing military decoration for meritorious conduct.[1][2][3]

## The South African military

[edit]

The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[2][4]

## Institution

[edit]

The iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea, post-nominal letters PS, was instituted by the President on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003, to replace the Southern Cross Medal (SM) and Pro Merito Medal (PMM). The bilingual title of the decoration is in siSwati and English.[3]

## Award criteria

[edit]

The decoration can be awarded to all ranks of the South African National Defence Force and of any Auxiliary Service of the SANDF, and of any Armed Forces attached to or serving with or rendering any service to the SANDF, who have distinguished themselves by outstanding leadership or outstanding meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. The decoration is the second most senior of a set of three military decorations for merit, along with the iPhrothiya yeGolide - Golden Protea and the iPhrothiya yeBhronzi - Bronze Protea.[1][5]

Bar to the iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea

A bar may be awarded for every subsequent action which would make recipients eligible for the award of the same decoration. The decoration and bar may be awarded posthumously.[1]

Guidelines consisting of appropriate phrases which may be useful when writing a citation for the award of the iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea have been published by the South African Defence Department.[5]

Outstanding Leadership

* More than usual.
* Aptitude, talent, ability.
* Creativity.
* Ability to persevere.

Outstanding Meritorious Service

* Positive and visible permanent results for the SANDF, at least on the level of significant benefit to the Service.
* Unusual achievement/performance.
* Particular contribution.
* Example or role model.
* Positive conduct sheet.
* Initiative.

Particular devotion to duty

* Single occasion or over a period of time.
* Special.
* Outstanding.
* Remarkable.

## Order of wear

[edit]

Main article: South African military decorations order of wear § Order of wear

The position of the iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea in the official military and national orders of precedence is as follows:[6]

Official military order of precedence

* Preceded by the  Medal for Merit (Silver) (SSM) of the Azanian People's Liberation Army.
* Succeeded by the  Danie Theron Medal (DTM) of the Republic of South Africa.

Official national order of precedence

* Preceded by the  Medal for Merit (Silver) (SSM) of the Azanian People's Liberation Army.
* Succeeded by the  Danie Theron Medal (DTM) of the Republic of South Africa.

## Description

[edit]

Obverse

The iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea is a six-pointed star, struck in silver and displaying a stylised protea, South Africa's national flower, on a blue hexagon in the centre.[1][2]

Bar button and insignia for the Army, Air Force, Navy and Military Health Service

Reverse

The reverse bears, in relief, the coat of arms of South Africa. The decoration is attached to a plain silver suspender fixed to the upper point of the star. The medal number is stamped or engraved below the coat of arms.[1]

Ribbon

The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide and national flag blue, with a 2 millimetres wide white band, a 2 millimetres wide black band, a 2 millimetres wide gold band, a 2 millimetres wide black band and a 2 millimetres wide white band in the centre.[1]

Bar

The bar for subsequent conferments of the iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea is 33 millimetres wide and 5 millimetres high, struck in silver and embossed in the centre with a silhouette replica of the decoration. When only a ribbon bar is worn, a button silhouette replica of the decoration, 8 millimetres in diameter and struck in silver, is affixed to the ribbon bar.[5]

Insignia

Award of the decoration for service in active military operations is indicated by distinguishing insignia, which indicate the arm of the service in which the recipient was serving at the time of the action for which the decoration was conferred. The insignia are struck in silver and is worn on the ribbon, above any bars which may have been awarded.[5]

* Crossed swords for the South African Army.
* An eagle for the South African Air Force.
* An Anchor for the South African Navy.
* The Rod of Aesculapius for the South African Military Health Service.

## Recipients

[edit]

In respect of those recipients about whom it is available, the actions they were cited for follow below the table since inclusion in the table itself is impractical.

Name  | Rank  | PS
no.  | Date of
action  | Unit  | Service
Arm

|
|
|
|
|

Coetzee, Renier Johannes SM MMM [a] | Col | 371  | 22 Mar 2013 | SASFB HQ | SA Army
Mahasa, Matlole Othniel † [a] | Sgt | 353  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Mogorosi, Andrew Ntebaleng † [a] | Cpl | 354  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Seakamela, Mokgadi Darius † [a] | Cpl | 355  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Molora, Sello Daniel † [a] | L Cpl | 357  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Tsheke, Lukas Mohapi † [a] | L Cpl | 358  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Dlamini, Xolani † [a] | Rfn | 359  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Lebatlang, Lesego Maxwell Hertzog † [a] | Rfn | 360  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Matsheka, Karabo Edwin † [a] | Rfn | 364  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Msenga, Khomotso Paul † [a] | Rfn | 367  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Ngaleka, Vusumzi Joseph † [a] | Rfn | 368  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Phirimana, Thabiso Anthon † [a] | Rfn | 373  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army
Thulo, Maleisane Samuel † [a] | Rfn | 372  | 22 Mar 2013 | 1 PB | SA Army

Note 1:  † denotes a posthumous award.

### Actions cited for

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Battle of Bangui - Awarded for actions during the Battle of Bangui in the Central African Republic from 22 to 24 March 2013.[7][8][9]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f Presidential Warrant by the President of the Republic of South Africa for the Institution of Honours for Meritorious Conduct in the South African National Defence Force, Gazette no. 25213 dated 25 July 2003.
2. ^ a b c South African Medal Website - South African National Defence Force (Accessed 1 May 2015)
3. ^ a b South African Medal Website - Post-nominal Letters (Accessed 28 April 2015)
4. ^ South African Medal Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
5. ^ a b c d iPhrothiya yeSiliva (PS) (Merit Award Silver)
6. ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981
7. ^ SANDF Armed Forces Day Parade, 21 February 2014 - Decoration and Medal Recipients, Battle of Bangui
8. ^ Zuma awards medals to Battle of Bangui soldiers in celebration of Armed Forces Day
9. ^ DefenceWeb Book Review: The Battle in Bangui: The untold inside story. By Helmoed Romer Heitman (Accessed 3 May 2015)

* v
* t
* e

South African military decorations and medals

Sorted in order of wear per era or 1994 constituent force

Pre-Union
until 6 April 1952|

* Victoria Cross
* Dekoratie voor Trouwe Dienst
* Distinguished Service Order
* Distinguished Service Cross
* Military Cross
* Distinguished Flying Cross
* Air Force Cross
* Distinguished Conduct Medal
* Distinguished Conduct Medal (Natal)
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
* Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying)
* Distinguished Service Medal
* Military Medal
* Distinguished Flying Medal
* Air Force Medal
* British Empire Medal (Military)
* South Africa Medal (1853)
* South Africa Medal (1880)
* Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal
* Queen's South Africa Medal
* Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog
* Lint voor Verwonding
* King's South Africa Medal
* Natal Native Rebellion Medal
* 1914–15 Star
* British War Medal
* Victory Medal (South Africa)
* Mercantile Marine War Medal
* 1939–1945 Star
* Atlantic Star
* Arctic Star
* Air Crew Europe Star
* Africa Star
* Pacific Star
* Burma Star
* Italy Star
* France and Germany Star
* Defence Medal
* War Medal
* Africa Service Medal
* King George V Coronation Medal
* King George V Silver Jubilee Medal
* King George VI Coronation Medal
* Meritorious Service Medal (United Kingdom)
* Meritorious Service Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
* Meritorious Service Medal (Natal)
* Meritorious Service Medal (South Africa)
* Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Cape of Good Hope)
* Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (Natal)
* Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas Medal
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (South Africa)
* Volunteer Officers' Decoration for India and the Colonies
* Volunteer Long Service Medal for India and the Colonies
* Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
* Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal
* Efficiency Decoration (South Africa)
* Efficiency Medal (South Africa)
* Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
* Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
* Air Efficiency Award
* King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
* Union of South Africa Commemoration Medal
* South African Medal for War Services
* Sir Harry Smith's Medal for Gallantry (Unofficial)
* Johannesburg Vrijwilliger Corps Medal (Unofficial)
* Kimberley Star (Unofficial)
* Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of O'okiep (Unofficial)

1952–1994|

* Honoris Crux Gold
* Star of South Africa, Gold
* Star of South Africa, Silver
* Star of South Africa (1952)
* Louw Wepener Decoration
* Honoris Crux (1952)
* Honoris Crux Silver
* Van Riebeeck Decoration
* Honoris Crux (1975)
* Pro Virtute Decoration
* Southern Cross Decoration
* Pro Merito Decoration
* Van Riebeeck Medal
* Louw Wepener Medal
* Ad Astra Decoration
* Army Cross
* Air Force Cross
* Navy Cross
* Medical Service Cross
* Southern Cross Medal (1952)
* Pro Merito Medal (1967)
* Southern Cross Medal (1975)
* Pro Merito Medal (1975)
* Danie Theron Medal
* Jack Hindon Medal
* Military Merit Medal
* Korea Medal
* Pro Patria Medal
* Southern Africa Medal
* General Service Medal (South Africa)
* Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
* Medal for Distinguished Conduct and Loyal Service
* Good Service Medal, Gold
* John Chard Decoration
* De Wet Decoration
* Cadet Corps Medal
* Good Service Medal, Silver
* Union Medal
* Permanent Force Good Service Medal
* John Chard Medal
* Good Service Medal, Bronze
* De Wet Medal
* Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces
* Commandant General's Medal
* SADF Champion Shot Medal
* National Cadet Bisley Grand Champion Medal

Transkei|

* Cross for Bravery
* Transkei Defence Force Medal
* Independence Medal (Transkei)
* Military Rule Medal
* Faithful Service Medal

Bophuthatswana|

* Order of the Leopard, Commander
* Distinguished Gallantry Cross
* Defence Force Merit Decoration
* Distinguished Gallantry Medal
* Defence Force Merit Medal
* Marumo Medal, Class I
* Defence Force Commendation Medal
* Marumo Medal, Class II
* Nkwe Medal
* General Service Medal
* Independence Medal
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Gold
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Silver
* Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct, Bronze
* State President's Medal for Shooting

Venda|

* Gallantry Cross, Gold
* Gallantry Cross, Silver
* Distinguished Service Medal, Gold
* Distinguished Service Medal, Silver
* Venda Defence Force Medal
* General Service Medal (Venda)
* Independence Medal (Venda)
* Long Service Medal, Gold
* Long Service Medal, Silver
* Long Service Medal, Bronze

Ciskei|

* Sandile Decoration
* Sandile Medal
* Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal
* Ciskei Defence Medal
* Independence Medal (Ciskei)
* Medal for Long Service, Bronze
* President's Medal for Shooting

Umkhonto
we Sizwe|

* Star for Bravery in Gold
* Star for Bravery in Silver
* Conspicuous Leadership Star
* Decoration for Merit in Gold
* Merit Medal in Silver
* Merit Medal in Bronze
* Operational Medal for Southern Africa
* South Africa Service Medal
* Service Medal in Gold
* Service Medal in Silver
* Service Medal in Bronze

Azanian People's
Liberation Army|

* Gold Star for Bravery
* Bravery Star in Silver
* Star for Conspicuous Leadership
* Gold Decoration for Merit
* Silver Medal for Merit
* Bronze Medal for Merit
* Operational Medal for Southern Africa
* South Africa Service Medal
* Gold Service Medal
* Silver Service Medal
* Bronze Service Medal

From 1994|

* Nkwe ya Gauta
* Nkwe ya Selefera
* iPhrothiya yeGolide
* Nkwe ya Boronse
* iPhrothiya yeSiliva
* iPhrothiya yeBhronzi
* Tshumelo Ikatelaho
* Unitas Medal
* Closure Commemoration Medal
* Medalje vir Troue Diens

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