- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Institution: 27 April 2003
- Country: South Africa
The Nkwe ya Gauta, also known by its post-nominal letters NG or Golden Leopard, is a South African military honor awarded for acts of bravery. Established in 2003, it superseded the Honoris Crux Gold (HCG) and stands as South Africa’s foremost military decoration for acts of courage.
The title of this decoration is bilingual, being presented in both Sesotho and English. It stands as the highest tier within a trilogy of military decorations for bravery, accompanied by the Nkwe ya Selefera – Silver Leopard and the Nkwe ya Boronse – Bronze Leopard.
The Nkwe ya Gauta – Golden Leopard is granted to members of the South African National Defence Force, its Auxiliary Services, and any affiliated Armed Forces who display exceptional bravery during military operations, whether through singular acts or sustained valor.
About The Union Defence Forces (UDF)
Established in 1912 as the Union Defence Forces (UDF), the military entity underwent a renaming to become the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. Subsequently, on April 27, 1994, it merged with six other distinct forces to form the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
The Nkwe ya Gauta Golden Leopard Medal Design
The Nkwe ya Gauta – Golden Leopard features a five-armed cross pattée made of 9 carat gold, measuring 38 millimeters in diameter. The cross’s arms are faceted per chevron and embowed throughout, with the extremities also embowed and separated by three short rays. At the center of the obverse side lies a 19-millimeter light blue enamel roundel adorned with a golden leopard’s head.
On the reverse side, the decoration showcases the relief of the coat of arms of South Africa. It is affixed to a plain gold suspender fixed to the upper arm of the decoration, with the medal number either impressed or engraved below the coat of arms.
The ribbon accompanying the decoration is 32 millimeters wide, with 6 millimeters wide gold edges. Its sky blue color symbolizes the feathers of the blue crane, historically presented by Xhosa kings to courageous warriors.
