Sydney Brenner (BSc, BSc Hons, honorary DSc) 

2002 Nobel Prize in Medicine

Nelson Mandela (honorary LLD)

1993 Nobel Peace Prize

Nadine Gordimer (honorary DLitt)

1991 Nobel Prize in Literature

Sir Aaron Klug (BSc, honorary DSc)

1982 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

1987
Order of the Southern Cross Class I: Professor Raymond Dart

1992
Order for Meritorious Service Gold Class: Professor Phillip V Tobias
Order of the Southern Cross Class II: Professor Phillip V Tobias

1997
Order of Merit, gold: Dr Helen Suzman

1999
Order for Meritorious Service, Class II: Advocate George Bizos

2002
Order of the Baobab, gold: Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson
Order of the Baobab, gold: Chief Justice Ismail Mahomed
Order of the Baobab, gold: Professor Jacques (Friedel) Sellschop
Order of the Baobab, bronze: Dr Thelma Henderson
Order of Mapungubwe, bronze: Professor Peter Beighton 

2003
Order of Ikhamanga, gold: Cecil Skotnes

2004
Order of Mapungubwe, gold: Dr Sydney Brenner
Order of Ikhamanga: Professor Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph

2005
Order of Mapungubwe, gold: Sir Aaron Klug
Order of Mapungubwe, gold: Professor Frank Nabarro
Order of Mapungubwe, bronze: Dr Himladevi Soodyall

2006
Order of Mapungubwe, silver: Professor Patricia Berjak
Order of Mapungubwe, silver: Dr Selig Percy Amoils

2007
Order of Mapungubwe, silver: Professor Valerie Mizrahi
Order of Mapungubwe, silver: Professor Claire Penn

2009
Order of Mapungubwe, silver: Professor Hendrik Koornhof
Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Bronze: Jennifer Davis

2010
Order of the Companions of OR Tambo in Silver: Lord Joel Joffe

2012
Order of Mapungubwe, silver: Professor Barry Schoub
Order of Ikhamanga: Dr Johnny Clegg

2013
Order of the Baobab, silver: Dr Sayed Mohamed Ridwan Mia
Order of Mapungubwe, silver: Professor Glenda Gray
Order of Luthuli, silver: Dr Essop Essak Jassat
Order of Luthuli, silver: Dr Arthur Letele (Posthumous)

2014
Order of Luthuli, gold: Ruth First

2016
Order of Ikhamanga, silver: Sylvia Glasser
Order of the Baobab, silver: Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng

2017
Order of Mapungubwe, silver: Professor Fulufhelo Nelwamondo
Order of Luthuli, silver: Nomzamo Winifred (Winnie) Madikizela-Mandela

2018
Order of Luthuli, bronze: Major-General Keith Mokoape
Order of Luthuli, silver: Rev Charles Hooper

2019
Order of Ikhamanga, silver: Benjamin Pogrund
Order of Ikhamanga, silver: Mathatha Tsedu
Order of Luthuli, silver: Professor Yosuf (Joe) Veriava
Order of Luthuli, silver: Anthony Trew
Order of Mapungubwe, silver: Professor Ari Sitas

2021
Order of Ikhamanga, gold: