Prof  George Ekama is to be awarded the national Order of the Baobab (Silver).This announcement of South African National Orders for 2013 was madeby the Chancellor of the National Orders, Dr Cassius Lubisi, on behalf of the Presidency of South Africa on 22 April 2013.

“The Order of the Baobab recognises distinguished service in the fields of business and the economy; science, medicine and technological innovation; and community service,” he said.

According to Lubisi, Ekama receives the honour “for his excellent research that has provided innovative solutions to enhancing and improving wastewater treatment. His important work is helping the country to find solutions to water scarcity.”

Both South Africans and foreign nationals will be officially awarded National Orders at an investiture ceremony to be held on Freedom Day on Saturday, 27 April. This year’s ceremony will be held under the theme “Mobilising society towards consolidating our democracy and freedom”.

Lubisi said at the announcement: “National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its president, bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and who made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

“The National Orders also recognise the contributions made by individuals who contributed and continue to contribute to a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa as envisaged in our Constitution.”

This is the 19th investiture ceremony since the inception of the National Orders. President Jacob Zuma will bestow to deserving recipients the Mendi Decoration for Bravery, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.

Currently a professor in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment’ Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town, Ekama is also a fellow of several institutions such as the Water Institute of Southern Africa, Royal Society of South Africa, the National Academy of Science and the South African Academy of Engineering.