page_title: Nkwe ya Gauta
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Nkwe ya Gauta / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: Ribbon bar emblem for the Bar and Arm of the Service insignia for ribbon of the Nkwe ya Gauta - Golden Leopard, post-nominal letters NG, awarded to persons who have distinguished themselves by performing acts of exceptional bravery during military operations
context_page_description: The Nkwe ya Gauta - Golden Leopard, post-nominal letters NG, is a military decoration for bravery which was instituted in 2003, to replace the Honoris Crux Gold. It is South Africa's highest military decoration for bravery.
context_section_description: Obverse
  The Nkwe ya Gauta - Golden Leopard is a five-armed cross paty struck in 9 carat gold, with a diameter of 38 millimetres. The arms of the cross are faceted per chevron, embowed throughout and the extremities also embowed, with each pair of arms of the cross separated by three short rays. In the centre of the obverse is a light blue enamel roundel, 19 millimetres in diameter, with a golden leopard's head.
  Reverse
  The reverse bears, in relief, the Coat of arms of South Africa. The decoration is attached to a plain gold suspender, fixed to the upper arm of the decoration. The medal number is impressed or engraved below the Coat of Arms.
  Ribbon
  The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide and sky blue with 6 millimetres wide gold edges. The blue represents the feathers of the blue crane, which Xhosa kings used to present to brave warriors.
  Bar
  The Bar for subsequent conferments of the Nkwe ya Gauta - Golden Leopard is 33 millimetres wide and 5 millimetres high, struck in 9 carat gold and embossed in the centre with a replica of the decoration. When only a ribbon bar is worn, a button replica of the decoration, 8 millimetres in diameter and struck in 9 carat gold, is affixed to the ribbon bar.
  Insignia
  Award of the decoration for service in active military operations is indicated by distinguishing insignia which indicate the arm of the service in which the recipient was serving at the time of the action for which the decoration was conferred. These insignia are struck in 9 carat gold and are worn on the ribbon, above any bars which may have been awarded.
  Crossed swords for the South African Army.
  An eagle for the South African Air Force.
  An Anchor for the South African Navy.
  The Rod of Aesculapius for the South African Military Health Service.
caption: Bar button and insignia for the Army, Air Force, Navy and Military Health Service
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