Matt P.'s South African Collection

[DutchBoy]

Since there aren't that many South African items on this forum, let me post the ones I have. They are Apartheid-era medals from South Africa and the "homelands."

First up, the Chief of the SADF Commendation Medal (left), for services of a higher order which cannot be recognized by another award. And the Pro Merito Decoration (right) for "outstanding service of the highest order and the utmost devotion to duty during peace or war."

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

And the reverse...

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

The Pro Patria Medal. This is a general campaign medal for the campaigns in South West Africa (now Namibia) and Angola, the so-called "Border Wars".

There are two variations: the first one with a ring suspension, and a second type where the medal and the suspension are made as one piece.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

reverse...

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

The Southern Africa Medal, awarded for action in the Border Wars. Interestingly, it is made from nickel from a captured Soviet tank! (The Angolans were armed by the Soviets and were assisted by Cuban military advisors.)

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

The General Service Medal.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

SADF Long Service Medals: Bronze for 10 years, silver for 20 years. There is also a gold one for 30 years, and a bar for the gold medal for 40 years service. These have the later-style ribbon from the 1980s.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

reverse...

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

The Unitas Medal, celebrating the joining of the SADF and the armed wing of the ANC, and to celebrate the peaceful transition of power in 1994.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

South African Police Medals. The SA Police Star for Faithful Service (left) for 20 years exemplary service with the SAP. On the right, the SAP Star for Merit, awarded for "in the discharge of his functions, rendered service of a particularly meritorious or exemplary nature." It was also used as a 30 year service award, a 40 year award being marked by the addition of a bar to the first medal on the left.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

And the back...

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

South African Police Medal for Combatting Terrorism. SAP officers were also employed in both South West Africa and in Rhodesia in the 1970s, and this medal served to reward those police officers involved in conflicts there.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

South African Police 75th anniversary medal on the left, and the 10 year faithful service medal on the right.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

the back...

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[Kev in Deva]

South African Police Medal for Combatting Terrorism. SAP officers were also employed in both South West Africa and in Rhodesia in the 1970s, and this medal served to reward those police officers involved in conflicts there.

Hallo DutchBoy

thanks for showing these very interesting and colourful medals and ribbons from South Africa.

And the explanation for each

Kevin in Deva

[DutchBoy]

The South African Prisons Service (SAPS) Service Medal for Faithful Service in bronze for 10 years, and in gold-plated silver for 30 years. Not surprisingly, there is a silver medal for 20 years service. For 40 years, a clasp is added to the gold medal.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

reverse...

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

"Homelands" of South Africa were intended by the Apartheid regime to serve as independent countries where the majority of the SA African population could live, leaving South Africa a "white" nation. Needless to say, no other country ever recognized these "nations" as independent, and they were reincorporated into the Republic of South Africa in 1994.

Here are a pair of service medals from the "Republic" of Venda.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

the flip-side...

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

Ciskei Defence Force Chief Commendation Medal.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

A medal from the Republic of Bophuthatswana on the left, and a service medal from QwaZulu (Zululand) on the right.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

back...

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

And finally, a cap badge from the Bophuthatswana Police.

Edited June 30, 2006 by DutchBoy

[DutchBoy]

Thanks Kevin, I like these medals too...interesting history and good-looking as you say.

Matt.

Hallo DutchBoy

thanks for showing these very interesting and colourful medals and ribbons from South Africa.

And the explanation for each

Kevin in Deva

[Guest WAR LORD]

VERY INTERESTING COLLECTION.