President Thabo Mbeki will on Thursday bestow National Orders on 26 individuals for their exceptional contribution in various fields ranging from sports, science, arts and culture to the struggle for freedom.

National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its head of state, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals and are traditionally viewed as events of importance in the national life of countries.

Presidential spokesperson David Hlabane told BuaNews that, like last year, a number of posthumous orders would also be awarded this year.

Recipients will include among others late educator, journalist and politician John Tengo Jabavu; former Botswana President Seretse Khama; politician, political activist, lawyer and journalist Pixley ka Isaka Seme; the first president of the Mali Republic Modibo Keita as well as Basotho King Moshoeshoe II and Swazi King Sobhuza.

"And since our country seeks to maintain peace and the reduction of crime, National Orders also provide our youth with positive role models to look up to so that they do not get into things like crime," he said.

President Mbeki first awarded the National Orders in 2002 and this year, the Orders will be awarded in various categories under the Orders of Baobab, Luthuli, Companions of Oliver Tambo and Mapungubwe.

While the Orders have various meanings, the recipients of the Order of Mapungubwe receive three elements; a neck badge (a platinum, gold, silver or bronze medallion on a neck band), a miniature (also a platinum, gold, silver or bronze medallion for wearing as a brooch or on the breast pocket) and platinum, gold or bronze lapel rosette.

The Order of Mapungubwe is awarded to citizens for achievements that have impacted internationally and served the interests of the country.

The Order is named after the amazing Kingdom of Mapungubwe that existed millions of years ago. It comprised a sophisticated state system with highly developed agriculture, mining and metallurgy industries.

The kingdom traded with countries as far as China and is reputed to be the origin of the people, culture and foundation for the achievements of Great Zimbabwe.

The other Order, named after the late ANC President Oliver Tambo, the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo is awarded in three categories to eminent foreign nationals and other foreign dignitaries for friendship shown to South Africa.

It focuses primarily on matters of peace, co-operation, international solidarity and support and is integral to the execution of the country's international and multilateral relations.

The three categories are the Supreme Companion of OR Tambo, Grand Companion of OR Tambo and the Companion of OR Tambo in gold, silver and bronze respectively.

Mr Tambo played a central role in the struggle against apartheid and dedicated his life to overthrowing the apartheid regime.

He was known for his gentle character and compassionate qualities.

The Order of Albert Luthuli also in gold, silver and bronze is awarded to South Africans who have served the interests of the country by making a meaningful contribution to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, peace and conflict resolution.

It's named after the legendary liberation struggle leader and first African recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961. Chief Luthuli believed in and fought for full political opportunities for the oppressed.

He served as ANC President from 1952 until his mysterious death in 1967.

The Order of the Baobab takes its inspiration from what is seen to be the oldest life form in Africa, the Baobab tree, whose endemic distribution and peculiar appearance and features have made it emblematic of the tropical African landscape.

Its sparse branch and leaves gives it the appearance, when viewed from a distance of being permanently rooted. In closer proximity, the Baobab tree, with its colossal wide trunk has the effect of suggesting a gigantic refuge from the sun or rain.

The tree is well known for its magical powers and symbolic value to many African people as well as its functional usefulness. Its bark is used to make mats, hats, cloth and rope while its fruit is eaten and its wood burnt as fuel.

The Order is awarded to citizens in recognition of their distinguished service in the fields of business, economy, science, medicine, technological innovation and community service.

This year, the Order of Luthuli in gold will be bestowed to the late Jabavu.

Born in a relatively poor Methodist home in Healdtown in the Eastern Cape, Jabavu grew up to become a staunch political activist and the editor of one of South Africa's first significant newspapers, Isigijimi SamaXhosa (the Xhosa Messenger) to be written in an indigenous language.

His newspaper became the voice of the voiceless and his political views helped to shape African political thinking, having dedicated his life to causes that promoted the rights of Africans.

Another posthumous honour, the Order of Luthuli in silver will be awarded to Ama Naidoo who in 1946 took part in the Passive Resistance Campaign of the South African Indian Congress against the Asiatic Land Tenure Act which sought to further restrict the ownership of land by South Africans of Indian descent.

She too was aware of the gender oppression in the apartheid society, thus joining the Federation of South African Women.

She attended and participated in the People's Congress at Kliptown that saw the adoption of the Freedom Charter in 1955.

She was among the 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act.

Receiving the Order of the Baobab this year will be Professor Barney Pityana whose leadership and mobilisation of students at For Hare culminated in his expulsion from the university.

Professor Pityana was in 1995 appointed as the Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission. He is the first black vice-chancellor and principal of the University of South Africa since 2001, a position he still holds today.

Mr Hlabane says the National Orders are important because they form part of nation-building efforts.

"People such as Pixley ka Isaka Seme are good role models for our youth because he contributed in the struggle for freedom from a young age," he explained.

Mr Hlabane says the awards are also critical since the country will be celebrating several anniversaries this year. These are mostly related to the struggle for freedom.

They include the 15th anniversary of the historical Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa), a multi-lateral forum for negotiations for democracy in the country where nearly all the country's political groups, including liberation movements, were represented to negotiate a democratic South Africa.

The adoption of the country's Constitution by the Constitutional Assembly on 8 May 1996 and signed into law in December will also be celebrated.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprising when students protested against the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in Black schools.

Also on the calendar of celebrations are the centenary of the Bhambatha Rebellion; the 60th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre and the 50th anniversary of the women's march to the Union Building against pass laws.