JAGAN. recognised for exceptional contribution to the struggle against racial oppression and colonial exploitation

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - South Africa has posthumously honoured Guyana's late President Cheddi Jagan with its highest national award to distinguished international personalities - Order of Companions of O R Thambo.

The award is named after the longest-serving leader of the African National Congress (ANC), President Oliver R Thambo, who is credited with playing a major role in the growth and development of the international movement against apartheid in South Africa and racism generally.

The O R Thambo award in gold to Dr Jagan for his "exceptional contribution to the struggle against racial oppression and colonial exploitation", was presented at the weekend in Georgetown to his widow and former Guyana President Janet Jagan.

It was first received by General Secretary of the ruling People's Progressive Party (PPP), Donald Ramotar, from South African President Thabo Mbeki at a ceremony in Johannesburg last month when a similar award was also presented posthumously to two former icons of the Non-Aligned Movement - India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indonesia's founding President Sukarno.

In accepting the award at the PPP headquarters, Freedom House, Janet Jagan, who was unable to attend the official ceremony in South Africa, said that she was quite pleased to accept what was a recognition of Cheddi Jagan's struggle for independence and democracy, linked to the international struggles against racism and oppression.

Late former Jamaican prime minister, Michael Manley, was also posthumously awarded the Order of Companions of O R Tambo in South Africa, last year.

Manley, who died in 1997, served as prime minister from 1972 to 1980 and again from 1989 to 1992.

The elements of the OR Tambo award, given for "active expression of solidarity and support to South Africa", include a walking stick entwined with a golden snake, as well as a neck badge and a miniature and lapel rosette.

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