Nkwe ya Boronse

• Obverse The Nkwe ya Boronse - Bronze Leopard is a five-armed cross pattée, struck in bronze, with a diameter of 38 millimetres. The extremities of the arms of the cross are embowed, with their flat surfaces urdy and their corners concave, with each pair of arms of the cross separated by three short rays. In the centre of the obverse is a light blue enamel roundel, 19 millimetres in diameter, with a bronze leopard's head. • Illustration — Bar button and insignia for the Army, Air Force, Navy and Military Health Service • Reverse The reverse bears, in relief, the coat of arms of South Africa. The decoration is attached to a plain bronze suspender, fixed to the upper arm of the decoration. The medal number is stamped or engraved below the coat of arms. • Ribbon The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide and sky blue, with 6 millimetres wide light brown edges. The blue represents the feathers of the blue crane, which Xhosa kings used to present to brave warriors. • Bar The Bar for subsequent conferments of the Nkwe ya Boronse - Bronze Leopard is 33 millimetres in length and 5 millimetres high, struck in bronze and embossed in the centre with a replica of the decoration. When only a ribbon bar is worn, a button replica of the decoration, 8 millimetres in diameter and struck in bronze, is affixed to the ribbon bar. • Insignia Award of the decoration for service in active military operations, is indicated by distinguishing insignia which indicate the arm of the service in which the recipient was serving at the time of the action for which the decoration was conferred. The insignia are struck in bronze and worn on the ribbon, above any bars which may have been awarded. • Crossed swords for the South African Army. • An eagle for the South African Air Force. • An Anchor for the South African Navy. • The Rod of Aesculapius for the South African Military Health Service.

The Nkwe ya Boronse can be awarded to all ranks of the South African National Defence Force and of any Auxiliary Service of the SANDF, and of any Armed Forces attached to or serving with or rendering any service to the SANDF, who have distinguished themselves by performing acts of bravery on a single occasion or over a period of time during military operations, or for exceptional combat leadership. • Illustration — Bar to the Nkwe ya Boronse - Bronze Leopard A Bar may be awarded for every subsequent action which would make recipients eligible for the award of the same decoration. The decoration and Bar may be awarded posthumously. Guidelines, consisting of appropriate phrases which may be useful when writing a citation for the award of the Nkwe ya Boronse - Bronze Leopard, have been published by the South African Defence Department. The exceptional combat leadership criteria were apparently added after the Battle of Bangui in the Central African Republic from 22 to 24 March 2013. • Illustration — First recipients: CPO N.C. Smith NB CN, WO2 I. du Plessis NB PB and WO2 J. van Nieuwholtz NB PB • For acts of bravery • Distinguished conduct. • Distinguished above others. • Incident or different incidents. • Sustained high performance. • More than normal. • Positive conduct sheet. • Creative. • Initiative. • For exceptional combat leadership • Incidents or deeds depicting outstanding leadership qualities. • Result of operation in favour of the SANDF. • Create trust amongst fellow soldiers. • Places a high premium on the prevention of the loss of lives. • Careful execution of the operational plan.