Local mountaineer gets bestowed The Order of Ikhamanga

John Black, local entrepreneur and mountain climber, was recently bestowed the honour of the Order of Ikhamanga which recognises South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and sport.

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John and his fellow mountaineer, Warren Eva, trekked to the top of Karakoram mountain range’s K2 summit, The Savage Mountain, in June of last year. They reached the peak on July 22 and finally landed back on South African soil on August 3. They both received the Order in Bronze ‘for [their] contribution to action and endurance sport. [Their] achievements have inspired many people by their sheer demonstration of human fortitude’, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

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John and Warren both received a bronze medallion on a neck band, a miniature bronze medallion for wearing as a brooch or on the breast pocket and a bronze lapel rosette.