Mfundi Vundla honoured with the Order of Ikhamanga Silver

The Order is given by the presidency to honour South Africans who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in the fields of arts and culture.


Mfundi Vundla, the creator and executive producer of SABC1 soapie Generations: The Legacy, has been awarded the Order of Ikhamanga Silver for his outstanding contributions to the television and film industry in South Africa.

Vundla has been creating TV shows since 1993, just before South Africa became an official democracy.

He is known for telling important stories that have inspired and given hope to many South Africans.

Badges of the Order of Ikhamanga Silver. Picture: The Presidency.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa will present Mfundi Vundla with the Order of Ikhamanga Silver as a form of recognition, and the official ceremony for the handing over of the National Orders will take place on 28 April 2023.

During the ceremony, Vundla and this year’s other recipients will be honoured.

Order of Ikhamanga Silver

The Order of Ikhamanga was instituted on 30 November 2003, and is given by the presidency to honour South African nationals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sports.

The order of Ikhamanga Silver has three classes:

  • OIG for recipients of the Order of Ikhamanga (gold)- for exceptional achievement
  • OIS for recipients of the Order of Ikhamanga (silver)- for excellent achievement
  • OIB for recipients of the Order of Ikhamanga (bronze)-for outstanding achievement

Other recipients of the Order of Ikhamanga Silver

President Cyril Ramaphosa will also honour other legends who have contributed to the field of Arts and Culture such as:

  • Mr Mono Arthur Sipho Badela: For his excellent contribution to the field of journalism and mobilising the masses against oppression.
  • Ms Desiree Ellis: For her excellent contribution to football, a male-dominated sport. Her sustained excellence provides encouragement to women to excel in their respective fields of endeavour.  
  • Mr Siyamthanda ‘Siya’ Kolisi: For his inspirational leadership and contribution to rugby. He is a trailblaser in democratic South Africa by being the first black person to captain the Springboks to World Cup glory.

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Muvhango creator Duma Ndlovu will no longer be honoured with the Order

Muvhango creator and Executive Producer Duma Ka Ndlovu. Picture: Supplied.

While horns of excitement for these achievers are blown until with the last breath, Muvhango Creator and executive producer Duma Ndlovu will not be among those who are awarded the order of Ikhamanga Silver.

This comes after there were objections to his and other nominations and the withdrawal of these names has cut down the list to 32 names.

Much like Mfundi Vundla, Ndlovu was set to be honoured for his work in the television and film industry, while veteran broadcaster Freek Robinson was also due to receive an award for his contribution to journalism. Mike Horne was also due to receive and award but that will no longer be happening.

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“Following objections from various sectors of society and on the recommendation of the National Orders Advisory Council [NOAC], President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted the withdrawal of three nominees who were nominated to receive respective orders, in a ceremony scheduled to take place on Friday, from the list of 35 chosen recipients to be conferred,” Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said in a statement.

Additional reporting by Molefe Seeletsa

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