Transkei, Ciskei, and Bophutwatswana medals

[Megan]

Time to blow the dust off once more...

 

Bophuthatswana Police Star for Merit (or should that be 'Medal'?), 1983-1995.

Obverse:

Reverse:

 

Is this the correct ribbon?

[Marcon1]

Hi Megan,

 

BP Star for Merit (c1983-95/1977-1995)
Awarded for (i) particularly meritorious or exemplary service, or (ii) 30 years service.

Insignia: A circular gold medal displaying a gold emblem on a green roundel (obverse) and the BP badge (reverse).

  

The ribbon is correct.

 

regards, Marcon1.

[Megan]

Was it instituted in 1977? The Bop Police Force was established then, but the scant few references I've found indicate that their medals were instituted in 1983 - and lasted until the force was amalgamated with the SAP in 1995.

 

Thanks for confirmation on the ribbon. Antonio Prieto Barrio has something different.

 

One final question: does the symbol on the obverse actually mean/represent anything?

[Marcon1]

Hiya,

 

See Government Gazette vol. 477 Pretoria 11 March 2005 No. 27376 - Government notice No. 202.

 

Here you will find the CONSOLIDATED OFFICIAL TABLE OF PRECEDENCE : ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MEDALS (Incorporating awards of the Union of South Africa until 1961, the Republic of South Africa since 1961, the former Independent and National States and those instituted for the Non-Statutory Forces, up to 2 December 2003).

 

Even they do not give all the information - so I can't tell you if it has any meaning.

 

Marcon1.

[Megan]

Thank you, nabbed a copy...

[Marcon1]

Hi all,

 

Just noticed Megan's latest listings of South Africa & Homelands (keep them coming 😄).

I have this information concerning Ciskei Decoration for Merit: 

 

Ciskei Decoration for Merit (CDM) (1987-94)
For exceptionally distinguished service to Ciskei.

Insignia: A circular gold medal depicting the head of President Lennox Sebe (obverse) and Ntaba kaNdoda mountain (reverse). It is worn on a neck ribbon.

 

 Type: 1

A SCARCE CISKEI MEDAL FOR MERIT FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE REPUBLIC OF CISKEI. FRONT SHOWS PORTRAIT OF CISKEI PRESIDENT LENNOX SEBE -THE LATER MEDALS HAD A MOUNTAIN ON THE REAR - THE EARLY ONES WERE LEFT BLANK FOR A NAME TO BE INSCRIBED.

 

 Type: 2

 Type: 2

 

No idea how many type 1 there are, but can't be many.

 

Regards, Marcon1.

[Marcon1]

For Megan,

 

Just noticed your listing of Republic of South Africa: Venda Defence Force Distinguished Service Medal.

 (As listed by Megan's Medals of the World)

You have the 'wrong' medal - the correct one is as shown below the gold version.

 

Distinguished Service Medal: Gold (1985-94)
For exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty.

Insignia: A circular gold medal displaying the letter V and two interlaced rings (obverse) and "For Distinguished Service - Kha u Fulufhedzea Mushumeni" (reverse).

 

Distinguished Service Medal: Silver (1985-94)
For outstanding service and devotion to duty.

Insignia: Same design as the gold medal, but in silver.

 rough surface.

 

 smooth surface.

 

Notice the different text on back compared with your photo.

 

As for your photo - I have from 3 different sources that it is a Prisons Service DSM - but I'm not 100% convinced about that.

So I have listed it for myself as UNKNOWN with the following photo's:

 

 

Notice different position of suspender - what's reverse and what's is obverse ??

 

The reason why I think it may be a Prison Service DSM is because of the following info and Photo that I have in my listings.

Full Size Venda Department of Prisons Distinguished Service Medal Gold (NOT Real Gold)

Named to BRIG. T. T. NDITWANE.

Numbered @ 12 o'clock 0100010

Numbered @ 6 o'clock 01.

 

If anyone knows more/better - please let me/us know.

 

With regards,

 

Marcon1.

 

[Megan]

Thank you so much for this... I'll go sort that out. Very much appreciated, trying to discover the details of the homelands awards is not easy. All assistance gratefully received!

 

And especially pictures

[Megan]

Still plugging away, sorry about the string of rather sparse pages - these are ones for which I can only find minimal information. As my husband is ill and in hospital right now, trying to keep the flow of medals going is the one thing keeping me sane.

 

Even my poor longsuffering students are being neglected. Tried giving a supervision this morning, it was very probably the worst one I have ever given, poor kid. They are being brilliant, offering support and good wishes and even a few prayers (Chiristian and Islamic) for him, rather than grouching.

[Marcon1]

Hi Megan,

 

Some info for you.

 

Transkei Police Decoration for Distinguished Service (c1985-1995)

Insignia: A five-pointed rayed gold star displaying the Transkei arms on a blue roundel (obverse) and the words "Inkonzo eQaqambilileyo - For Distinguished Service - Vir Voortreflike Diens" (reverse).

 

KwaNdebele Police Order for Distinguished Leadership (1987-1995) --- Never awarded.

Presumably a.k.a. 'Medal for Most Distinguished Service'.

Insignia: A circular gold medal displaying the KwaNdebele coat of arms (obverse) and the words 'Umsebenzi Weqophelo Elingavamile' (reverse).

 

LP Star for Distinguished Leadership (1990-1995)

Apparently never awarded.

Insignia: A silver-gilt circular medal with an engrailed edge tipped with ten balls, enamelled green and displaying a ten-pointed star with a gold flame on a white roundel (obverse), and the Lebowa coat of arms (reverse).

 

it's not much, but better than nothing.

 

Regards, Marcon1.

[Megan]

Tahnk you.... I am putting together a book in parallel with the website, the intention is to make PDF versions avalable with a possible Print-on-Demand option (you will have to pay for that, but the PDF will be free).

 

Eventually there will be a whole bunch, for different nations, but I am forcing my butterfly mind to stop flitting from one to another but to focus on one until complete... pure luck that it's South Africa!

[Megan]

Can a Zulu speaker improve on "work of extraordinary quality" for Umsebenzi Weqophelo Elingavamile, please?

[archie777]

Both these medals are from the Botswana Defence Force and not Bophuthatswana DF

Ciskei Prisons Services

[archie777]

Here is the Ciskei Police Star for Distinguished Service (SPME)

 

Unfortunately not the best pictures, but hope to have colour pictures soon

Here is the Order if Ntaba-Ka-Ndoda

 

Unfortunately not the best pictures, but hope to have colour pictures soon

[archie777]

Marcon1, Here we have the Ciskei Police Star for Distinguished Leadership (SPDE)

Here is the Ciskei Police Star for Distinguished Leadership (Breast Star) Unfortunately not the best pictures, but hope to have colour pictures soon

[archie777]

Here we have the Ciskei Defence Force Medal for Merit (30 Years Service)

The 20 Years Service medal looks simular, but in silver, with the wordin IMBASA YENKONZO ENYANISEKILEYO on the reverse

Here we have the following awards:

 

Ciskei Prisons Service Gallantry Cross (PGC) (1988-94)  - Picture 9

Ciskei Prisons Service Star for Excellence (PSE) (1988-94)  - Picture 6 

Ciskei Prisons Service Star for Distinction (PSD) (1988-94) - Picture 7

Ciskei Prisons Service Star for Merit (PSM) (1988-94) - Picture 8 

Ciskei Prisons Service Medal for Merit (1988-94)  - Picture 4 

Ciskei Prisons Service Commendation Medal (1988-94) - Picture 5 

Ciskei Prisons Service Medal for Faithful Service (1988-94) - 30 years service - Picture 1

Ciskei Prisons Service Medal for Faithful Service (1988-94) - 20 years service - Picture 2

Ciskei Prisons Service Medal for Faithful Service (1988-94) - 10 years service - Picture 3

[archie777]

I would like to share some pictures of the Bophuthatswana Intelligence Service Awards

 

Cross for Valour

Bophuthatswana Intelligence Service Cross for Gallantry

Bophuthatswana Intelligence Service Medal for Meritorious Service

Bophuthatswana Intelligence Service Establishment Medal

Bophuthatswana Intelligence Service Medal for Merit

Bophuthatswana Intelligence Service Commendation Medal

Bophuthatswana Intelligence Service Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct

[Marcon1]

Hi Archie,

 

These are completely new to me.

I didn't know that they had intelligence in Bophuthatswana (Service I mean, not that they were idiots).

I only know of Defence Force, Police, Prisons Service and Civil awards.

Were these ever issued ??

They are not on the 2005 consolidated table of precedence list.

What about Ciskei, Transkei and Venda (the other 3 big ones) - do they also have Intelligence Service medals ??

Can't wait to get a copy of your upcoming book and see what else is in there.

Many, many thanks.

 

Marcon1.

[archie777]

Hi Marcon1,

 

According to my information, they were manufactured, but never issued. No records of anyone who received them.

 

No other Homeland had Intel medals

 

Will add more pictures later today and I really hope that will help the collectors

 

Regards

Archie

[archie777]

I hope to have better pictures soon. 

 

Waiting for my friend, but in no hurry

[archie777]

Here we have the Order of Indwe for Ciskei

 

Unfortunately only a black a white picture, but will have a colour picture soon

 

The Breast Star was only awarded to Class I with the Golden Badge with miniature

Here we have the Order of Indwe for Ciskei Class I

 

Picture of miniture will follow

Here we have the miniature for the Order of Indwe for Ciskei

Here we have the Order of Indwe for Ciskei Class II

 

No Breast Star with Class II

Here we have the Order of Indwe for Ciskei Class III

Silver 

[archie777]

stephenmiller,

 

You can look at the pictures that I posted of the different Homeland awards

 

Only can on the site too late, but saw your post, only now

 

Regards

Archie

[archie777]

stephenmiller,

 

You can look at the pictures that I posted of the different Homeland awards

 

Only came on the site too late, but saw your post, only now

 

Regards

Archie