Five Jews receive state honours from Zuma

DAVID SAKS

The awards were presented by President Jacob Zuma at an investiture ceremony at the Union Buildings on Freedom Day, last Sunday. Other recipients included Sir Richard Attenborough, Alex Boraine, former UK Labour Leader Neil Kinnock and the late Frederik van Zyl Slabbert. 

Receiving the Order of Luthuli (for contributions to the advancement of democracy, peace and human rights) were anti-apartheid activists Sir Bob Hepple and, posthumously, Ruth First (both Gold) and Wolfie Kodesh (Silver, also posthumously).

Hepple defended Nelson Mandela in 1962 when Mandela was on trial for instigating a work stay-away, and was one of the original Rivonia Trialists.

Leading businessman and philanthropist Raymond Ackerman received the Order of the Baobab (Silver), for “providing scholarships to young people and conducting socially responsible retail business”.

RIGHT:
The Order of Baobab

Eminent virologist Professor Barry Schoub, received the Order of Mapungubwe (Silver) for “achievement in virology and his invaluable contribution to infectious diseases and to science, and the people of South Africa and international community”.