France Bestows Knighthood on SA’s Thuli Madonsela

Professor Thuli Madonsela, South Africa’s popular former Public Protector, has been appointed as Knight of the Legion of Honour by France’s President Emmanual Macron. The prestigious honour will be bestowed upon her once the Covid-19 situation allows. UPDATE April 2021: Prof Thuli Madonsela has now had the French Knighthood bestowed upon her at a ceremony in Stellenbosch.

Prof Madonsela, who is now Chair in Social Justice at Stellenbosch University’s (SU’s) Faculty of Law, said on Twitter that she is feeling “supremely honoured and humbled”. Madonsela was informed of the prestigious honour in a letter from France’s Ambassador to SA. Aurelien Lechevallier. The Ambassador said Madonsela is being honoured in recognition of her remarkable achievements in defence of the rule of law and the fight against corruption in South Africa.

Adv Madonsela says:

“I can’t find the right words to express the depth of my gratitude to the President and people of France for this immense honour. As indicated in respect of previous awards, I do my work to add value to humanity out of love and gratitude for the privileges life and humanity have given me and in pursuit of my duties. However, a recognition of this magnitude does inspire immense gratitude while spotlighting my work on social justice, the rule of law and ethical governance. I believe it comes from a place of appreciating our interconnectedness as humanity though separated by oceans and borders.”

According to SU, Madonsela says she accepted the honour on behalf of the Public Protector Team that worked with her in the pursuit of ethical and accountable government for seven years (including on the now famous ‘State Capture Report’). Madonsela adds:

“I also accept the award on behalf of my colleagues at Stellenbosch University with whom we are pioneering research, policy reform and civic mobilisation on social justice with the hope of catalysing progress towards ending poverty and reducing structural inequality by 2030 in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I also accept it on behalf of my Thuma Foundation colleagues, who are mostly volunteers dedicating their time and resources towards making democracy work for all through democracy leadership and literacy.”

The title to Madonsela was actually conferred by Macron on 20 November 2020, but the official ceremony to bestow the insignia has been delayed by the current pandemic. Once the situation improves, the French Ambassador and Madonsela will set a date.

What is the French Legion of Honour?

The French Legion of Honour (Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur) is the highest French order of merit (both military and civil), awarded to distinguished individuals for their excellent conduct and achievements. It’s considered France’s highest decoration and was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.

The categories of the Order include the degrees Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer), and Grand-Croix (Grand Cross). Former President Nelson Mandela is a Grand-Croix recipient – in 1994.

Which South Africans have received the French Legion of Honour?

Previous South African recipients of the degree Chevalier (Knight) include Nadine Gordimer, Ahmed Kathrada, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mamphela Ramphele, Miriam Makeba, André P. Brink and Zanele Muholi. One of the knighthoods famous recipients is soccer legend Zinedine Zidane.

Congratulatory messages have poured in for Prof Madonsela including one from Wits University, to which Madonsela said: “Thank you @Wits. I will never forget your investment in my early professional development #SuperGrateful”

Sources: Twitter/Prof Thuli Madonsela, SU