Johannesburg - Politician Mathews Phosa has been awarded the Republic of Congo’s order of merit, the University of South Africa (Unisa) said on Friday.
Phosa received the award during a decorations ceremony in Brazzaville, Congo, on Tuesday, spokesman Martin Ramotshela said.
“The decorations ceremony occurred during the 25th anniversary celebrations of the signing of the Brazzaville Peace Accord, which paved the way for the end of the civil war in Angola and the attainment of the independence of Namibia,” Ramotshela said.
He said the order of merit was instituted in February 1959 by the first Congolese president Abbé Fulbert Youlou to honour heads of state and other eminent persons for outstanding acts and services to the Republic of Congo.
“The entire Unisa community takes pride in this excellent achievement by our chairman of council and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to him on this auspicious award,” said Unisa principal and vice chancellor, Professor Mandla Makhanya.
Phosa, also a lawyer, has been a premier of Mpumlanga province and a treasurer general of the governing African National Congress.
Sapa