Zolile Malindi's efforts hailed by Mbeki

Former trade unionist Zolile Malindi, who passed away yesterday, was honoured by President Thabo Mbeki at the ceremony of National Orders held today in Pretoria.

The ceremony observed a moment of silence for Malindi. His daughter received the Order of Luthuli in his honour. The National Orders are bestowed on South Africans and Foreign Nationals to recognise their role in the fight for freedom.

Other recipients of the awards include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, singer Harry Belafonte, South African Chief Justice Pius Langa, former New Partnership for Africa's Development chairperson Wiseman Nkuhlu, Parliamenterian Bertha Gxowa and Linda, the mother of slain student Amy Biehl.

This year's ceremony is the 11th, and has issued three orders -- the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.