# Order of the Baobab

The Order of the Baobab is a South African civilian national honour, awarded to those for service in business and the economy; science, medicine, and for technological innovation; and community service. It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and is awarded annually by the President of South Africa. The order is named after the baobab tree, which was chosen as a symbol because of its endurance and tolerance, its vitality, its importance in agro-forestry systems, and its use as a meeting place in traditional African societies.
Until the Order of Luthuli and the Order of Ikhamanga were established in 2004, the Order of the Baobab also covered service in the fields now covered by those orders.

## Current classes

The three classes of appointment to the order are, in descending order of precedence:
* Supreme Counsellor of the Baobab in gold, for exceptional service (SCOB)
* Grand Counsellor of the Baobab in silver, for distinguished service (GCOB)
* Counsellor of the Baobab in bronze, for dedicated service (COB)

## Symbolism

The central motif is a baobab tree, one of the oldest trees in Africa, with roots symbolising longevity. The badge is bordered by a nonagon shape, a nine-sided polygon, with each side representing one of the nine South African provinces. It represents the many different areas of possible contribution and service, in building a prosperous nation. The roughly rectangular shaped plaque, is textured to represent the baobab tree bark that is commonly used to make mats and hats.
The ribbon is gold, with recurring cream-coloured baobab silhouettes down the centre. All three classes are worn around the neck. The South African coat of arms is displayed on the reverse of the badge.
Award variations :
| Lapel Rosette | Miniature | Neck Decoration |

## Recipients

These are all the recipients, in order of most recent:
| Name | Grade | Date awarded |
| Ms Zukiswa Patricia Matolengwe | SCOB | 23 April 2024 |
| Ms Blanche la Guma (Posthumous) | SCOB | 23 April 2024 |
| Mr Cornelius Ruald Strydom | GCOB | 28 April 2023 |
| Justice Edwin Cameron | SCOB | 18 November 2021 |
| Professor Lynette Denny | GCOB | 18 November 2021 |
| David Ingpen | GCOB | 18 November 2021 |
| Nolwandle Mboweni | GCOB | 18 November 2021 |
| Dr Hlamalani Judith Ngwenya | COB | 18 November 2021 |
| Dr Ray and Mrs Dora Phillips (Posthumous) | GCOB | 25 April 2019 |
| Mr Bongani Donald Mkhwanazi (Posthumous) | GCOB | 25 April 2019 |
| Mr Braam Jordaan | GCOB | 25 April 2019 |
| Mr William Smith | GCOB | 25 April 2019 |
| Ms Constance Mirriam Thokozile Koza (Posthumous) | GCOB | 25 April 2019 |
| Mr Maduke Lot Ndlovu (Posthumous) | GCOB | 28 April 2018 |
| Nkosinathi Freddy Ndlovu | GCOB | 28 April 2018 |
| Ms Violet Jacobeth Seboni (Posthumous) | GCOB | 28 April 2018 |
| Ms Nokutela Dube (Posthumous) | SCOB | 28 April 2017 |
| Mr Milner Langa Kabane (1900–1945) (Posthumous) | GCOB | 28 April 2017 |
| Ms Getrude Ntlabati (Posthumous) | GCOB | 28 April 2017 |
| Ms Pfarelo Rebecca Ramugondo | COB | 28 April 2017 |
| Prof Olive Shisana | COB | 28 April 2017 |
| Ms Marina Nompinti Maponya (Posthumous) | SCOB | 27 April 2016 |
| Prof Helen Rees | GCOB | 27 April 2016 |
| Prof Rosina Mamokgethi Phakeng | GCOB | 27 April 2016 |
| Professor Emeritus James David Lewis-Williams | SCOB | 8 December 2015 |
| Douglas John Anderson | GCOB | 8 December 2015 |
| Dr Andrew Ross | GCOB | 8 December 2015 |
| Dr Mary Susan Makobatjatji Malahlela (Posthumous) | GCOB | 8 December 2015 |
| Otto Stehlik | GCOB | 8 December 2015 |
| Justice Yvonne Mokgoro | COB | 8 December 2015 |
| Alex Boraine | GCOB | 27 April 2014 |
| Chris Ball | GCOB | 27 April 2014 |
| Dawid Kruiper (Posthumous) | GCOB | 27 April 2014 |
| Frederik van Zyl Slabbert (Posthumous) | GCOB | 27 April 2014 |
| Katrina Esau | GCOB | 27 April 2014 |
| Raymond Ackerman | GCOB | 27 April 2014 |
| Abraham September (Posthumous) | COB | 27 April 2014 |
| Tshepo Thobakgale Khumbane | COB | 27 April 2014 |
| Colin Wells Eglin | GCOB | 27 April 2013 |
| David Jacobus Bosch (Posthumous) | GCOB | 27 April 2013 |
| Dr Sayed Mohamed Ridwan Mia | GCOB | 27 April 2013 |
| Herbert William Garnet De La Hunt | GCOB | 27 April 2013 |
| Yusuf Abramjee | GCOB | 27 April 2013 |
| Nontsikelelo Qwelane | COB | 27 April 2013 |
| Suraya “Bibi” Khan | COB | 27 April 2013 |
| Frank Kennan Dutton | SCOB | 27 April 2012 |
| Lwandle Wilson Magadla (Posthumous) | SCOB | 27 April 2012 |
| Daniel Gerhardus Krige | GCOB | 27 April 2012 |
| Gladys Ramahuta | COB | 27 April 2012 |
| Selwyn “Scully” Levin | COB | 27 April 2012 |
| Zane Maureen Wilson | COB | 27 April 2012 |
| Rev Phambani Jeremiah Mzimba (1850 – ) | SCOB | 27 April 2011 |
| Bishop David Patrick Russell (1938 – ) | GCOB | 27 April 2011 |
| William Sinclair Winship (1927 – ) | GCOB | 27 April 2011 |
| Nowongile Cynthia Molo (1949 – ) | COB | 27 April 2011 |
| Reginald Dudley Forde (1940 – ) | COB | 27 April 2011 |
| James Mata Dwane (1848–1916) | SCOB | 27 April 2010 |
| Joseph Sepp Blatter (1936 – ) | SCOB | 27 April 2010 |
| Imtiaz Sooliman | GCOB | 27 April 2010 |
| Malebone Luthuli (1935 – ) | GCOB | 27 April 2010 |
| Malefu Mphathane | GCOB | 27 April 2010 |
| Vincent Naidoo | GCOB | 27 April 2010 |
| Aanon Michael Rosholt (1920 – ) | GCOB | 27 March 2009 |
| Cyril Ramaphosa (1952 – ) | GCOB | 27 March 2009 |
| Ethel Normoyle (1944 – ) | GCOB | 27 March 2009 |
| Irene Menell (1932 – ) | GCOB | 27 March 2009 |
| Masenyeki Priscilla Mokone (1906–2008) | GCOB | 27 March 2009 |
| Roelf Petrus Meyer (1947 – ) | GCOB | 27 March 2009 |
| Khoza Elliot Mbuyisa Mgojo | COB | 27 March 2009 |
| Malethola Maggie Nkwe (1938 – ) | COB | 27 March 2009 |
| Rashaka Frank Ratshitanga (1933 – ) | COB | 27 March 2009 |
| Nana Henrietta Moabi (1938 – ) | SCOB | 28 October 2008 |
| Pius Nkonzo Langa (1939 – ) | SCOB | 28 October 2008 |
| Sir Sydney Kentridge (1922 – ) | SCOB | 28 October 2008 |
| Franklin Sonn (1939 – ) | GCOB | 28 October 2008 |
| Wiseman Lumkile Nkuhlu (1944 – ) | GCOB | 28 October 2008 |
| Raymond Bill Hoffenberg (1923–2007) | GCOB | 28 October 2008 |
| Theo Kotze (1920–2003) | GCOB | 28 October 2008 |
| Winston Njongonkulu Ndungane (1941 – ) | GCOB | 28 October 2008 |
| Filippus Letla Mminele (1892–1971) | COB | 28 October 2008 |
| Rebecca Beka Ntsanwisi (1968 – ) | COB | 28 October 2008 |
| Ruth Machobane(1939 – ) | COB | 28 October 2008 |
| Zodwa Mqadi (nee Dlamini) (1942 – ) | COB | 28 October 2008 |
| Eric Marooi Molobi (1945–2006) | GCOB | 24 April 2007 |
| Joyce Piliso-Seroke (1933 – ) | GCOB | 24 April 2007 |
| Rev Dale White | GCOB | 24 April 2007 |
| Richard John Pelwana Maponya | GCOB | 24 April 2007 |
| Sally Motlana (1927 – ) | GCOB | 24 April 2007 |
| Dr Anvir Adam (1937 – ) | COB | 24 April 2007 |
| Ephraim Sibiya (1949 – ) | COB | 24 April 2007 |
| Epaulette Mbeki (1916 – ) | SCOB | 20 April 2006 |
| Barney Pityana (1945 – ) | GCOB | 20 April 2006 |
| Grace Masuku (1932 – ) | GCOB | 20 April 2006 |
| Lindiwe Myeza (1935 – ) | GCOB | 20 April 2006 |
| Mamohau Ntsoane (1952 – ) | GCOB | 20 April 2006 |
| Sheena Duncan (1932 – ) | GCOB | 20 April 2006 |
| T. Wolfram Kistner (1923 – ) | GCOB | 20 April 2006 |
| Ivan Toms | COB | 20 April 2006 |
| Job Richard Rathebe (1897–1982) | SCOB | 26 April 2005 |
| University of Fort Hare (1916 – ) | SCOB | 26 April 2005 |
| Ethel Barlow | GCOB | 26 April 2005 |
| Revel Albert Ellis Fox (1924–2004) | GCOB | 26 April 2005 |
| Urbania Bebe Mothopeng (1917 – ) | GCOB | 26 April 2005 |
| Marjorie Manganye (1931 – ) | COB | 26 April 2005 |
| Fabian Defu Ribeiro (1933–1986) | SCOB | 16 June 2004 |
| Grogoriyevich Vassili Solodovnikov [DE; RU] (1918 – ) | SCOB | 16 June 2004 |
| Brigalia Bam (1933 – ) | GCOB | 16 June 2004 |
| Dora Ndaba (1945 – ) | GCOB | 16 June 2004 |
| Helenard Joe (Allan) Hendrickse (1927 – ) | GCOB | 16 June 2004 |
| Jean Sinclair | GCOB | 16 June 2004 |
| Edna Freinkel (1932 – ) | COB | 16 June 2004 |
| Mirriam Cele (1935 – ) | COB | 16 June 2004 |
| Mpho Sebanyoni-Mothlasedi (1959 – ) | COB | 16 June 2004 |
| Prince Cabangukuhle Penuel Zulu (1928 – ) | COB | 16 June 2004 |
| Arthur Chaskalson | SCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Friedel Sellschop | SCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Ismail Mahomed | SCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Marinus Daling | SCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Mark Shope | SCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Moses Mabhida | SCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Tamsanqa Kambule | SCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Adelaide Tambo | GCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Bishop Hamilton Mvumelwano Dandala | GCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Jan Haggie | GCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Noria Mabasa | GCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Sam Motswenyane | GCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Stuart Saunders | GCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Yvonne Muthien | GCOB | 20 December 2002 |
| Adele Searll (1944–1998) | COB | 20 December 2002 |
| Clara Basenjeng Masinga | COB | 20 December 2002 |
| Eva Mokoka | COB | 20 December 2002 |
| Thelma Henderson | COB | 20 December 2002 |