Star of South Africa, Gold

Award

Star of South Africa, Gold

Type| Military decoration for merit
Awarded for| Meritorious military service which promoted SADF efficiency and preparedness and made a valuable contribution to national security
Country| South Africa
Presented by| the
State President of South Africa (until 1994)
President of South Africa (1994-2002)
Eligibility| General and flag officers
Post-nominals| SSA
Status| Discontinued in 2002
Established| 1975

Ribbon bar

SADF pre-1994 & SANDF post-2002 orders of wear
Next (higher)|

SADF precedence:

* Honoris Crux Gold

SANDF precedence:

* Nkwe ya Gauta

Equivalent| Star of South Africa, Grand Cross
Next (lower)|

SADF succession:

* Star of South Africa, Silver

SANDF succession:

* Star of South Africa, Silver

The Star of South Africa, Gold, post-nominal letters SSA, is the senior decoration of two military and five non-military classes of the Order of the Star of South Africa, a South African Order which was instituted in 1975, and awarded to general and flag officers of the South African Defence Force. The Order of the Star of South Africa was discontinued in 2002.[1]

## Background

[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) after the end of apartheid.[2][3][4][5][6]

## Institution

[edit]

The Star of South Africa, Gold, post-nominal letters SSA, was instituted by the State President on 1 July 1975, as the senior decoration of two military classes of the Order of the Star of South Africa. The Order was named after the first large diamond to be found in South Africa, the Star of South Africa, which was found on the banks of the Orange River in 1869 and which sparked the New Rush, leading to the establishment of Kimberley.[1][3]

The Order of the Star of South Africa was expanded on 17 October 1978, when a non-military division with decorations in five classes was instituted, for conferment on civilians and, from 1988, on senior police, prisons service and intelligence service officers, as well as foreign military attachés. The senior of these five non-military decorations, the Star of South Africa, Grand Cross, ranks on par with the Star of South Africa, Gold.[1][7]

## Award criteria

[edit]

The Star of South Africa, Gold was awarded to general and flag officers of the South African Defence Force for meritorious military service which promoted SADF efficiency and preparedness and made a valuable contribution to national security. It replaced the Star of South Africa of 1952.[3]

In 1977, recipients of the Star of South Africa of 1952 were promoted to the new Order of the Star of South Africa, by being presented with the Star of South Africa, Gold in substitution of their existing decorations.[8]

## Order of wear

[edit]

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

The position of the Star of South Africa, Gold in the official order of precedence was revised three times after 1975, to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first upon the integration into the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994, again in April 1996, when decorations and medals were belatedly instituted for the two former non-statutory forces, the Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and finally with the institution of a new set of awards on 27 April 2003.[7][9]

South African Defence Force until 26 April 1994

* Official SADF order of precedence:
* Preceded by the Honoris Crux Gold (HCG).
* Succeeded by the Star of South Africa, Silver (SSAS).[9]
* Official national order of precedence:
* Preceded by the Order of the Southern Cross, Gold (OSG).
* Succeeded by the Order for Meritorious Service, Gold (OMSG).[9]

South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994

* Official SANDF order of precedence:
* Preceded by the Honoris Crux Gold (HCG) of the Republic of South Africa.
* Succeeded by the Star of South Africa, Silver (SSAS) of the Republic of South Africa.[7]
* Official national order of precedence:
* Preceded by the Order of the Southern Cross, Gold (OSG) of the Republic of South Africa.
* Succeeded by the Order of the Leopard, Special Class Grand Cross of the Republic of Bophuthatswana.[7]

South African National Defence Force from April 1996

* Official SANDF order of precedence:
* Preceded by the Star for Bravery in Gold (SBG) of Umkhonto we Sizwe.
* Succeeded by the Star of South Africa, Silver (SSAS) of the Republic of South Africa.[7]
* Official national order of precedence:
* Preceded by the Order of the Southern Cross, Gold (OSG) of the Republic of South Africa.
* Succeeded by the Order of the Leopard, Special Class Grand Cross of the Republic of Bophuthatswana.[7]

South African National Defence Force from 27 April 2003

* Official SANDF order of precedence:
* Preceded by the Nkwe ya Gauta (NG) of the Republic of South Africa.
* Succeeded by the Star of South Africa, Silver (SSAS) of the Republic of South Africa.[7]
* Official national order of precedence:
* Preceded by the Order of the Southern Cross, Gold (OSG) of the Republic of South Africa.
* Succeeded by the Order of the Leopard, Special Class Grand Cross of the Republic of Bophuthatswana.[7]

## Description

[edit]

The Star of South Africa, Gold consists of five separate items.

* A full size decoration with a neck chain.
* A full size decoration with a neck ribbon.
* A full size decoration with a smaller suspender, for mounting in a breast medal rack.
* A miniature decoration for mess dress or formal evening dress.
* A breast star.

Obverse

The Star of South Africa, Gold is a silver-gilt Maltese cross, with the arms in dark blue enamel, with protea flowers between the arms of the cross. Two four-pointed stars, superimposed on one another, are mounted on the cross.[3]

Breast star

Reverse

The reverse has the pre-1994 South African Coat of Arms.

Ribbon and chain

The decoration is worn around the neck on a dark blue ribbon, 35 millimetres wide. Until 1988, the Star of South Africa, Gold also had a gold neck chain for ceremonial occasions.[3]

Breast star

Recipients also wear a gold breast star, with eight multi-rayed points, which displays the obverse of the decoration in its centre.[3]

## Discontinuation

[edit]

The conferment of the Star of South Africa, Gold was discontinued on 6 December 2002, when a new set of national orders was instituted.[3]

## List of recipients

[edit]

This is non-exhaustive list of the general and flag officers who were awarded the SSA in no chronological sequence:

* Adm Hugo Biermann OBE \- Chief of the SADF
* Gen Magnus Malan SM \- Chief of the SADF
* Gen Constand Viljoen SSAS, SM \- Chief of the SADF
* Gen Johannes Geldenhuys SSAS, SD, SOE, SM \- Chief of the SADF
* Gen Andreas Liebenberg SSAS, SD, SM, MMM \- Chief of the SADF
* Gen Georg Meiring SSAS, SD, SM, MMM \- Chief of the SANDF
* Gen Siphiwe Nyanda DMG, MMS, MMM \- Chief of the SANDF
* V Adm Bert Bekker SSAS, SD, SM \- Chief of Defence Force Staff
* Lt Gen Denis Earp SSAS, SD, SOE, SM \- Chief of the Air Force
* Lt Gen Ian Gleeson SSAS, SD, SM \- Chief of Defence Force Staff
* Lt Gen (Dr) Nicolaas Nieuwoudt SD, SM \- Surgeon General
* V Adm James Johnson SM, DSC \- Chief of the Navy
* Lt Gen Robert 'Bob' Rogers SM, DSO, DFC \- Chief of the Air Force
* Lt Gen (Prof) Heinrich de V. du Toit SD, SM \- Chief of Staff Intelligence
* V Adm Ronald A. Edwards SSAS, SD, SM \- Chief of the Navy
* Lt Gen Raymond Holtzhausen SD, SM \- Chief of Staff Personnel
* Cmdt Piet Marais  \- Chairman of ARMSCOR 1976-1989

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c South African Medals Website - Post-nominal Letters (Accessed 28 April 2015)
2. ^ South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1952-1975 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
3. ^ a b c d e f g South African Medals Website - SA Defence Force : 1975-2003 (Accessed 30 April 2015)
4. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1952-1975
5. ^ Suid-Afrikaanse militêre dekorasies: 1975-2003
6. ^ Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 457, no. 25213, Pretoria, 25 July 2003
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Republic of South Africa Government Gazette Vol. 477, no. 27376, Pretoria, 11 March 2005, OCLC 72827981
8. ^ City Coins, Cape Town - Postal Medal Auction 62 - Closing Date: 29 June 012 17:00 Hrs RSA. Lot 224, pp. 104-105. (Accessed 9 May 2015)
9. ^ a b c Republic of South Africa Government Gazette no. 15093, Pretoria, 3 September 1993

* 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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