The Sandile Decoration, post-nominal letters SD, was instituted by the President of the Republic of Ciskei in 1988, for award to all ranks for meritorious service.[1][2][3][4]
The Ciskei Defence Force
The Ciskei Defence Force (CDF) was established upon that country's independence on 4 December 1981. The Republic of Ciskei ceased to exist on 27 April 1994 and the Ciskei Defence Force was amalgamated with six other military forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[5][6][7]
Institution
The Sandile Decoration, post-nominal letters SD, was instituted by the President of Ciskei in 1988. It is the senior award of a set of three decorations for merit, along with the Sandile Medal and the Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal.[1][3][4]
Since the Sandile Decoration was authorised for wear by one of the statutory forces which came to be part of the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994, it was accorded a position in the official South African order of precedence on that date. The position of the Sandile Decoration in the official order of precedence was revised twice after 1994, to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first in April 1996, when decorations and medals were belatedly instituted for the two former non-statutory forces, the Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and again upon the institution of a new set of honours on 27 April 2003.[1]
Preceded by the Prisons Distinguished Service Medal (SPO) of the Republic of Venda.
Succeeded by the Prisons Service Star for Excellence (PSE) of the Republic of Ciskei.[1]
The position of the Sandile Decoration in the official order of precedence remained unchanged upon the institution of a new set of honours on 27 April 2003.[1]
Description
Obverse
The Sandile Decoration is a medallion struck in silver, 38 millimetres in diameter and without a raised rim, displaying the eagle emblem of the Ciskei Defence Force in a laurel wreath.[3][11]
^ abWarrant of the President of the Republic of South Africa for the Institution of the "UNITAS MEDAL-UNITAS-MEDALJE", Gazette no. 16087 dated 25 November 1994.