A presidential award. A presidential honour in memory of my son.

 In July 2018 Cornelius B. lost his son to gang violence in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town, South Africa.  In a continuos battle to bring the murders of his son to justice Cornelius took up the fight to find the perpetrators of his son murder.  His son murdered is currently appearing in court afer being on the run for two years. To ensure that his son death was not in vain and to keep his memory allive Cornelius wrote to the President of South Africa and apply for a presidental award, which honours whose who put the well being of others ahead of themselves.  

This is the story as told by Cornelius

I applied in October 2018 to the Presidency when the invitation was made to be considered for these prestigious awards. Three years passed and I thought I was unsuccessful. In October 2021 I was informed that President Ramaphosa has agreed to bestow upon my heroic son Chad Basson the Order of Mendi for Bravery (posthumously).This is amongst the highest award to be given to any Citizen of the Republic of South Africa by the President under the different categories. It was an all-expenses paid event, from the shuttle picking me up at my house on the 17th of November for the airport, the flight tickets as well as staying at the 5 star Sheraton hotel opposite the Union Buildings.

I was chauffeur driven to every destination I needed to be at. The event was broadcast live on national television on the 18th of November. Before this auspicious event, there was a meet and greet session with President Ramaphosa as well as group photos. I was the proudest father under the sun when I had to walk up to the President to receive the awards, which included three pure silver medals with a small emerald in the middle as well as a beautiful scroll inscribed with my son`s details as well as the heroic deed he performed, personally signed by the president. I returned by business class to Cape Town on the South African Airways (SAA) on the 19th of November.

What also kept me sane during the last three turbulent years was that I wrote a manuscript about my beloved son and how his untimely death has  affected our family, friends, and the community at large. The book is titled "Not All Heroes wear Capes" Funding was the biggest stumbling book to have the manuscript publish and I had to embark on a Crowd funding campaign which raised only a quarter of the cost to have the manuscript published. The manuscript  is now with  a good hearted publisher, and I hope to have it published soon.

I will give up all the trips, awards, appearances at Parliament, hotel accommodation and meeting the President at the Union Buildings in Pretoria if I could have my son back....but unfortunately it does not work that way. My son had to die for me to be rewarded in all these magnificent ways.

*This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased!!!

I thank you.

Mr Cornelius B.

Christ the Saviour

Lentegeur