Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus will be given another top accolade – the National Order – for his sporting and nation-building achievements. President Cyril Ramaphosa will present the award.
This comes two years after he received an honorary doctorate from the North West University.
RASSIE ERASMUS TO RECEIVE NATIONAL ORDER
On Thursday, 14 May, the office of the Presidency announced the recipients of the National Order, which is given to citizens who have made significant contributions to the country in various sectors.
The awards prizegiving will take place on Tuesday, 19 May at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The National Order, in the case of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, recognises individuals who contribute to the building of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa as envisaged in our Constitution.
Rassie will receive the Order of Ikhamanga – in gold – which recognises South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.
According to an official document, the order recognises the Boks boss for his “inspirational leadership in national and international rugby that has propelled the Springboks to repeated Rugby World Cup Championships”.
It added of the 53-year-old’s achievements: “Victory on the field of play has advanced social cohesion among South Africans and raised the nation’s esteem in the international community”.
‘FLOWERS’ FOR SPRINGBOK COUCH
Last year, Rassie Erasmus received a Goodwill Award from the FW De Klerk Foundation for helping to unite South Africans.
The award was presented at the foundation’s annual conference. This coincided with the 35th anniversary of the late SA president’s speech initiating transformation.
According to the foundation, Rassie was named the recipient of the Goodwill Award for his “passion, devotion, and brilliance in leading the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2019 and 2023”.
It added: “His role as coach inspires people from all walks of life, instils pride and promotes nation-building”.
The foundation believed that the Boks boss was the epitome of “working together as a nation, mutual respect, tolerance, humanity, perseverance, teamwork, discipline, leadership and serving the interest of all of our people.”
Last year, Rassie received an honorary doctorate from the North-West University in the field of Coaching Science.
The University emphasised that the sports star’s contribution as both a rugby strategist and a nation builder “serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, dedication and visionary leadership come together.”
Rassie responded in a public statement that read: “I’m extremely honoured and humbled to receive this recognition. But I have to give all the credit to the Springbok team and management for their resilience and determination over the last few years, who made this possible.”
