The Order of Luthuli is a South African honour. It was instituted on 30 November 2003, and is granted by the president of South Africa, for contributions to South Africa in the following fields: (i) the struggle for democracy, (ii) building democracy and human rights, (iii) nation-building, (iv) justice and peace, and (v) conflict resolution. It has three classes:
- Gold (OLG), for exceptional contributions,
- Silver (OLS), for excellent contributions,
- Bronze (OLB), for outstanding contributions.
The order is named after former African National Congress leader Chief Albert Luthuli, who was South Africa's first Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The badge of the order is an equilateral triangle representing a flintstone above a clay pot. The flintstone depicts the sun rising above Isandhlwana, and the national flag, and it is flanked by two animal horns rising out of the clay pot, which bears the initials AL. Isandhlwana symbolises peace and tranquillity, and the leopardskin bands around the bases of the horns represent Chief Luthuli's headdress. The South African coat of arms is displayed on the reverse.
The ribbon is gold with a stripe of cream-coloured AL monograms down each edge, and recurring cream-coloured outlines of the flintstone, depicting the national flag, down the centre. All three classes are worn around the neck.
Read more about Order Of Luthuli: Members
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