BuaNews (Tshwane)
Bathandwa Mbola
22 April 2008
Pretoria — A Chicago born mother, who turned into an inspiring international peace activist and motivational speaker following her daughter's tragic death in Cape Town, has been honoured by President Thabo Mbeki.
On Monday Linda Biehl was among the thirty eight recipients of the National Orders that President Mbeki bestowed on South Africans for having exceptionally contributed to the benefit of the country.
In this regard, Ms Biehl received the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in bronze.
Other Orders bestowed where the Order of Baobab, the Order of Luthuli and the Order of OR Tambo which are conferred in gold, silver and bronze.
The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo is awarded to foreign nationals, be they heads of state and government or other dignitaries, for friendship shown to South Africa.
It is therefore an order of peace, co-operation and active expression of solidarity and support.
On 25 August 1993, Ms Biehl's daughter, Amy, an American Fulbright scholar working in South Africa against apartheid, was beaten and stabbed to death in Gugulethu, a township near Cape Town.
In 1998 the four youths convicted of her murder were granted amnesty by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) after serving five years of their sentence - a decision that was supported by Amy's parents.
Easy Nofemela and Ntobeko Peni, two of the convicted men, now work for the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust in Cape Town, a charity which dedicates its work to putting up barriers against violence.
"We took our strength in handling the situation directly from Amy. She was intensely involved in South African politics and even though the violence leading up to free elections had caused her death, we didn't want to say anything negative about South Africa's journey to democracy," Ms Biehl told BuaNews on Tuesday after receiving the order at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
She said some people think they are supporting criminals, but the foundation they have started in her daughter's name is all about preventing South African youth from committing crime.
"I have come to believe passionately in restorative justice ... It's what South Africans call 'ubuntu': to choose to forgive rather than demand retribution, a belief that my humanity is inextricably caught up in yours," Ms Biehl told BuaNews.
She said she does not look at herself as a victim but as an agent of change.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Mbeki said the Orders where awarded to those who deserved high tribute for what they had done to enrich other lives and made it possible for the country to proclaim itself an adherent of the ancient values of ubuntu.
"The honours that we bestow today tell the story of what and who we are, of what and who we shall be.
"These are our National Orders, the symbols that represent the nobility of human endeavour, constituting a hall of fame that will, today, be enriched by new and distinguished members," President Mbeki said.
National Orders are the highest honour that a country, through its head of state, confers on citizens and deserving foreign nationals, and these awards are traditionally viewed as events of importance in the national life of many countries.
Limpopo province's Beka Ntsanwisi also known as "Mother Theresa" was also awarded with the Order of the Baobab in bronze.
Ms Ntsanwisi is the Munghana Lo Nene Radio presenter who was recognised for her outstanding contribution made in the fields of Health, Education, Youth Development and the upliftment of communities in rural villages of Limpopo.
"The award makes me proud to be a South African, I was surprised when The Presidency called me and said I have been nominated for the National Order.
"I did not expect to be awarded for the work I was doing because I was doing it for the love of the people and my country," Ms Ntsanwisi said while speaking to BuaNews.
Upon receiving the good news, the premier immediately congratulated Ms Ntsanwisi "for being a role model and an outstanding community builder who embodies compassion and courage.
"On behalf of the provincial government and the people of Limpopo, we would like to congratulate her for this lifetime achievement," the premier added.
Recipients included former Cape Town Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane and former Nepad CEO, Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, Chief Justice Pius Langa, former Head of State protocol Billy Modise, singer Harry Belafonte and Zolile Malindi.
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