| iPhrothiya yeSiliva Silver Protea | |
| Presenter: | the President |
| Country: |  South Africa |
| Type: | Military decoration for merit |
| Eligibility: | All ranks |
| Awarded For: | Outstanding leadership or outstanding meritorious service and particular devotion to duty |
| Status: | Current |
| Post-Nominals: | PS |
| Established: | 27 April 2003 |
| Precedence Label: | Order of wear |
| Higher: | Silver Medal for Merit |
| Lower: | Danie Theron Medal |
The iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea, post-nominal letters PS, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003. It can be awarded to all ranks who have distinguished themselves by outstanding leadership or outstanding meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. It is South Africa's second highest existing military decoration for meritorious conduct.[1] [2] [3]
The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994, it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).[2] [4]
The iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea, post-nominal letters PS, was instituted by the President on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003, to replace the Southern Cross Medal (SM) and Pro Merito Medal (PMM). The bilingual title of the decoration is in siSwati and English.[3]
The decoration 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 outstanding leadership or outstanding meritorious service and particular devotion to duty. The decoration is the second most senior of a set of three military decorations for merit, along with the iPhrothiya yeGolide - Golden Protea and the iPhrothiya yeBhronzi - Bronze Protea.[1]
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.[1]
Guidelines consisting of appropriate phrases which may be useful when writing a citation for the award of the iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea have been published by the South African Defence Department.[5]
The position of the iPhrothiya yeSiliva - Silver Protea in the official military and national orders of precedence is as follows:[6]
In respect of those recipients about whom it is available, the actions they were cited for follow below the table since inclusion in the table itself is impractical.
| Name | Rank | PS no. | Date of action | Unit | Service Arm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| data-sort-value="5" | Col | 371 | SASFB HQ | SA Army | ||
| Mahasa, Matlole Othniel | data-sort-value="15" | Sgt | 353 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Mogorosi, Andrew Ntebaleng | data-sort-value="16" | Cpl | 354 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Seakamela, Mokgadi Darius | data-sort-value="16" | Cpl | 355 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Molora, Sello Daniel | data-sort-value="17" | L Cpl | 357 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Tsheke, Lukas Mohapi | data-sort-value="17" | L Cpl | 358 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Dlamini, Xolani | data-sort-value="18" | Rfn | 359 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Lebatlang, Lesego Maxwell Hertzog | data-sort-value="18" | Rfn | 360 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Matsheka, Karabo Edwin | data-sort-value="18" | Rfn | 364 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Msenga, Khomotso Paul | data-sort-value="18" | Rfn | 367 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Ngaleka, Vusumzi Joseph | data-sort-value="18" | Rfn | 368 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Phirimana, Thabiso Anthon | data-sort-value="18" | Rfn | 373 | 1 PB | SA Army | |
| Thulo, Maleisane Samuel | data-sort-value="18" | Rfn | 372 | 1 PB | SA Army | |