Oudtshoorn Mayor Colan Sylvester wishes to congratulate two late Oudtshoornites, David Mbulelo “Spi” Grootboom and Reginald “Reggie” Oliphant who were awarded at the Presidential National Orders today (28 April 2017).
“These awards are great sentiments not only to the recipients and their families, but also signify the role Oudtshoornites have played in the South African political history,” said Aldm Sylvester.
The two political stalwarts were each posthumously conferred the Order of Luthuli in Silver. Order of Luthuli is awarded to South Africans who have made a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice and peace and conflict resolution.
The late Reggie” Oliphant an anti-apartheid fighter was murdered in May 2003 in Cape Town, while Mbulelo “Spi” Grootboom also an anti-apartheid activist passed away in August 2014.
An Oudtshoorn-born communication strategist & former journalist for local community newspaper Saamstaan, SABC TV and Etv, Makhaya Mani said, “This is a proud moment for me to witness this event. I have seen and can bear testimony to the sterling work they put, the sacrifices they made, choosing to abandon their families for the cause of the people of Oudtshoorn and the Klein Karoo.”
National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals.
In the photo: Nombeko Grootboom, wife of the late Spi with President Jacob Zuma