South Africa had made significant strides since the dawn of democracy in 1994, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

“We reiterate that South Africa is a much better place to live in now than it was before 1994. We thank all South Africans, as well as our friends from all over Africa and the world, for their contribution to making our country the success that it has been since 1994,” said Zuma at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.

Zuma made the remarks at a ceremony to present awards to numerous recipients of the 2016 national orders.

“We have gathered to honour men and women from this country and abroad who have demonstrated exceptional service to humanity. The national orders are the highest honour that our country bestows on citizens and foreign nationals,” said Zuma.

“We confer the Order of Mendi, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo to distinguished persons who have demonstrated that it takes ordinary men and women to make our country and the world a better place.”

He said it was significant that the ceremony took place a day after the country’s Freedom Day commemorations, on which South Africans “closed the chapter on institutionalised racism and repression, and began a journey towards a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa”.

Zuma said the recipients of this year’s National Orders had each contributed in some way to the attainment of equality, freedom and democracy.

“By the power vested in me in terms of Section 84 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, I now confer the Order of Mendi, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo to the distinguished persons indicated.”

“They shall henceforth be honoured as esteemed Members of the Orders,” Zuma said before he bestowed the awards to the recipients or their representatives.

In absentia, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria was awarded the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.

“The President receives the award in gold for her exceptional contribution to the fight for democracy and freedom in her country and globally,” said Zuma.

“She has sent a special message apologising for her inability to accept this award in person, due to matters of state.”

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo is awarded to foreign dignitaries who actively promote freedom, justice, human rights and democracy, through active support and expression of solidarity for the struggle against apartheid colonialism.

The National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its president, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals.