Big names abounded at the national orders investiture ceremony at the Union Buildings, but perhaps the loudest cheers were reserved for the long dead chief Frans Rasimphi Tshivhase.
Women ululated, danced and chanted "Phiriphiri" (Tshivhase's nickname) when his representatives were called to receive the Order of Luthuli, in bronze, on his behalf.
Born in 1900, Tshivhase reigned as paramount chief of the Tshivhase people from 1930 until his death in 1952. He has been credited with frustrating attempts to dispossess his people of their land, and was honoured on Wednesday for his contribution to the struggle for a free, just and democratic South Africa.
In a nearly three-hour ceremony, President Thabo Mbeki presented nine South Africans with the Order of the Baobab for exceptional service rendered to their fellow countrymen, and 16 with the Order of Luthuli for contributing to the attainment of a free and democratic society.
Twenty-two people were awarded the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo - the highest decoration South Africa bestows on non-citizens.
Order of the Baobab recipients included Mirriam Cele, who has devoted her adult life to providing homes for abused, abandoned and Aids orphans, and social worker Cabangukuhle Zulu, who helped black veterans of World War II get welfare and pension payouts.
Also on the list were Independent Electoral Commission chairwoman Brigalia Bam, for her contribution to the upliftment of women and democracy, and reverend turned politician Allan Hendrickse for his part in the struggle for democracy.
Among those who received the Order of Luthuli were anti-apartheid activists like Amina Cachalia, Hilda Bernstein, Laloo Chiba, Mapetla Mohapi, Josie Mpama, Billy Nair, and Rita Ndzanga.
Also honoured under this category were former Intelligence Minister Joe Nhlanhla, the late Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete, and the ANC's former chief representative in the United Kingdom and West Europe Reginald September.
Foreigners honoured -- most of them in their absence -- included United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan, the late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo Patrice Lumumba, former Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere and former secretary-general of the Organisation of African Unity, Salim Ahmed Salim.
Mbeki said the recipients of the orders stood out as beacons to guide the rest of the nation on its journey to freedom, justice and equality.
"Regardless of the long road we have to travel to translate this vision into reality, the people of South Africa are convinced that they must walk along the only highway in their universe on whose paved stones the words are engraved -- we are one people, despite our diversity!"
– Sapa.
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