Date: 08/04/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Provincial Honours Awards ceremony


EXTRACT FROM SPEECH BY THE WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, SPEAKING AT THE FIRST WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL HONOURS AWARDS CEREMONY, Cape Town Castle, 8 April 2003

WORLD CLASS ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE WORLD CLASS PROVINCE

Often the true men and women of action, those who transform our world, are not politicians or statesmen, they are our artists, our scientists, our business leaders and our sporting heroes. Tonight, the Western Cape Provincial Government pays tribute to the outstanding sons and daughters of the Cape, whose achievements and life-long striving for excellence have brought honour to us all.

In August last year we announced the first-ever recipient of Provincial Honours - our swimming champion and courageous role model, Natalie du Toit. Tonight we add a further 35 names to the roll of honour - some of whom are no longer with us - recognising their contributions to enriching our lives, our communities and our province.

This awards ceremony is not only about recognition of excellence - it is also about the acknowledgement of men and women who have led by example. Leadership often goes unnoticed when it takes place beyond the reach of a camera - and many of the men and women we honour tonight have spent their lives making a difference where it matters most - in our communities. Whether they made us cheer, or laugh, or learn - these men and women illustrate for the youth of the Western Cape and South Africa what can be achieved through hard work, dedication, enthusiasm and a passion for success.

The Western Cape Constitution makes it possible for us to make these awards to those deserving few recommended by our Provincial Honours Advisory Panel, under the leadership of Judge Nathan Erasmus. As these are awards which belong to the people of the Western Cape, nominations are invited from the public and are then considered by the Panel - this is a process which will be regularly repeated. Naturally there are many other prominent people and Western Cape achievers who deserve to receive Provincial Honours, and we encourage the public to make use of the opportunity and take part in the process by nominating men and women who they feel deserve this recognition. As this is the first awards ceremony of its kind, there are significantly more recipients than will be likely in future years.

Tonight we add one more recipient in the highest honours category - with the late Prof Christiaan Barnard being honoured with the Western Cape Golden Cross for his lifelong achievements. The recipients are:

* Western Cape Golden Cross (awarded for exceptional achievement):

- Natalie du Toit (swimmer)
- Prof Christiaan Barnard (posthumous) (heart surgeon)

* Order of the Disa: Commander (for excellent meritorious service):

- Archbishop Desmond Tutu priest, TRC Chairperson and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

* Order of the Disa: Officer (for outstanding meritorious service):

- Raymond Ackerman entrepreneur
- John Coetzee author
- Adv DP De Villiers (posthumous) advocate and media executive
- Prof. Jakes Gerwel academic and Presidential Advisor
- Adam Small poet/playwright

* Order of the Disa: Member (for noteworthy meritorious service):

- Frank Bradlow (posthumous) art expert and historian
- David Jack architect and developer
- Helen Lieberman community empowerment
- Mavis Nduzulwana community empowerment
- Adele Searle (posthumous) anti-drug campaigner and philanthropist
- Mark Shuttleworth entrepreneur and 'Afronaut'
- Phyllis Spira prima ballerina
- Pieter-Dirk Uys satirist, playwright and author
- Willem van Schalkwyk (posthumous) nature conservationist
- Chester Williams rugby player

* Premier's Commendation Certificate:

- May Abrahamse opera singer
- Shaun Bartlett soccer player
- Charles Beukes sport outreach + administrator
- Christopher Cox community upliftment
- Rosemarie Cox domestic violence activist
- Garnet de la Hunt Chief Scout
- Gary Kirsten cricketer
- Prof. Angelo Gobbato opera director and producer
- David Kramer songwriter/musician
- Breyton Paulse rugby player
- Rev Marjorie Mamputa community upliftment
- Patricia Matolengwe community housing activist
- Elana Meyer athlete
- Johaar Mosaval ballet dancer
- Sizwe Msutu actor/playwright
- Taliep Petersen songwriter/musician
- Prof. Elizabeth Triegaardt ballet/dance doyenne
- Faruq Valley-Omar actor/director

On behalf of the Government and the people of the Western Cape, we commend each and every recipient and thank them for sharing their energies and talents to the benefit of us all. I would also like to thank Judge Erasmus and the other panellists for their hard work in evaluating the nominations on our behalf.

Building our World Class Province which Cares for all its people entails far more than government programmes and public service initiatives - it involves every person from every community doing his or her utmost best to realise their God-given potential. Tonight we honour men and women who have done exactly that - and in so doing have helped to define what is best in our people.

ENQUIRIES: RIAAN AUCAMP
CELL: 083-778-9923
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government, 8 April 2003