Volunteer of the Year
Nokuthula “Thuli” Thabethe
Honoured as the most outstanding volunteer of 2012.
Honours for service
Distinctions connected with South Africa
A documented register of distinctions conferred by the Sovereign Order of Malta and by the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard in recognition of service to their South African relief work.
Order pro Merito Melitensi
The Order pro Merito Melitensi recognises activities that bring honour and prestige to the Order of Malta. Its grades comprise the Collar, Crosses and Medals. Official classification of the Grand Magistry.
Order pro Merito Melitensi · documented distinctions and presentations
This chronological illustrated register includes every documented distinction. Where no suitable photograph is currently available, the recipient is recorded in a text entry.
1996 and 2000
Daniel E. Meehan
Commander’s Cross pro Merito Melitensi, conferred on 3 September 1996. Photograph pending.
Commander’s Cross pro Merito Melitensi, conferred on 3 September 1996. Photograph pending.
25 June 2006
Father Volker Futter
Cross “pro piis meritis” pro Merito Melitensi, conferred on 26 October 2006. Photograph pending.
Cross “pro piis meritis” pro Merito Melitensi, conferred on 26 October 2006. Photograph pending.
2007
Abbot Godfrey Sieber O.S.B.
Cross “pro piis meritis” pro Merito Melitensi, conferred on 24 June 2007. Photograph pending.
Cross “pro piis meritis” pro Merito Melitensi, conferred on 24 June 2007. Photograph pending.
14 September 2009
Maximilian Rauecker
Cross pro Merito Melitensi. Photograph pending.
Cross pro Merito Melitensi. Photograph pending.
16 June 2012
Father Gérard Lagleder O.S.B.
Cross “pro piis meritis” pro Merito Melitensi. Photograph pending.
Cross “pro piis meritis” pro Merito Melitensi. Photograph pending.
12 October 2013
13 April 2014
These distinctions were awarded by the then Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Frà Matthew Festing, in recognition of the recipients’ outstanding service to the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
6 September 2026
Photograph pending: Nokuthula Marigold Thabethe received the Cross with Crown at her home on 7 September 2026. Her photograph will be added when available.
Other distinctions by the Order of Malta and its subsidiary entities
| Date | Recipient(s) | Distinction | Awarding body / context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Sep 1974 | Father Gérard Lagleder O.S.B. | Malteser-Plakette in Bronze | Malteser Hilfsdienst · curriculum vitae and linked certificate |
| 18 Sep 1979 | Father Gérard Lagleder O.S.B. | Malteser-Plakette in Silber | Malteser Hilfsdienst · curriculum vitae and linked certificate |
| 21 May 1985 | Father Gérard Lagleder O.S.B. | Malteser-Plakette in Gold | Malteser Hilfsdienst · curriculum vitae and linked certificate |
| 9 Jul 2000 |
| Holy Year 2000 Medal | Order of Malta · Brotherhood decorations register |
| 8 Jul 2005 | Father Gérard Lagleder O.S.B. | Jubilee Medal “50 Years Malteser Hilfsdienst” | Malteser Hilfsdienst · curriculum vitae |
| 13 Feb 2013 | Father Gérard Lagleder O.S.B. | “Pie postulatio voluntatis” Medal | Order of Malta · Brotherhood decorations register |
| 12 Nov 2016* |
| Jubilee of Mercy Medal | Order of Malta · service in the Vatican basilicas during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy |
| 28 Oct 2017 | Father Gérard Lagleder O.S.B. | Einsatzmedaille des Malteser Hilfsdienstes | Malteser Hilfsdienst · documented in the curriculum vitae |
| 7 Dec 2019 | Father Gérard Lagleder O.S.B. | Jubiläumsabzeichen für 50 Jahre Mitgliedschaft im Malteser Hilfsdienst | Malteser Hilfsdienst · documented in the curriculum vitae |
| 15 Oct 2023 |
| COVID-19 Service Medal | Order of Malta · organisation and implementation of the food-parcel relief operation during the COVID-19 crisis |
Notes: *12 November 2016 is the documented final day of service and is used consistently as the register date; the reviewed records do not state a separate presentation date for the Jubilee of Mercy Medal. One further Holy Year 2000 entry is not published because the surviving list marks the recipient's name “Josefine Haid” with a question mark. It will be added once the spelling has been confirmed. The COVID-19 Service Medals were presented to Caroline Beaumont and Muzi Magwaza on 15 October 2023 in recognition of their leading role in the Brotherhood's food-parcel relief operation.
Honorary Dedicated Membership
Honorary Dedicated Membership is the highest distinction conferred by the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard. Under its statutes, it may be granted to Associate Members who have supported the Brotherhood to an exceptional degree. Honorary Dedicated Members enjoy the privileges of Dedicated Members, except the right to vote in the Council of the Dedicated Members.
Ordinary Dedicated Membership is a form of membership and is therefore not included in this register of distinctions. The dates below are the documented dates of investiture or public conferral; surviving minutes do not record every preceding council decision.
| Date | Honorary Dedicated Members |
|---|---|
| 3 Sep 1996 |
|
| 6 Jun 2004 | Lillian Molloy |
| 26 Jun 2005 |
|
| 10 Oct 2010 | Dr Andreas Christian Michael Heinze |
| 28 Oct 2012 |
|
| 13 Apr 2014 | Frà Matthew Festing |
| 29 May 2016 |
|
Historical note: Maria Theresia “Maresi” Rehder later made her private promise as an Ordinary Dedicated Member on 13 October 2019. This change of membership status does not alter the Honorary Dedicated Membership conferred in 2012. Deceased Honorary Dedicated Members may no longer appear in current organisational charts, but their historical distinction remains part of this register.
Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard Medals of Merit
The officially approved Medal of Merit, 2024–2026
On 10 October 2024, His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master and the Sovereign Council approved the Brotherhood's proposal to establish its own Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard Medal of Merit in gold, silver and bronze. This gave the Brotherhood a formally approved distinction created expressly for meritorious service, succeeding the anniversary medals that had previously fulfilled that purpose.
The new medals were presented for the first time in Mandeni on 6 September 2026 during the thirtieth-anniversary celebration of Blessed Gérard's Care Centre and Blessed Gérard's Church.
| Grade | First recipients on 6 September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Gold | Hayne Gerald Clark; Caroline Frances Beaumont; Wilfrid Fox Cardinal Napier O.F.M. |
| Silver | Dumisile Patricia Nene; Carolyn Margaret Nunn; Qinisani Wiseman Zulu; Princess Sindisiwe Ndlovu; Nana Annastasia Masikane |
| Bronze | Patricia Zantombi Ntuli; Sindisiwe Angeline Sithole; Khanyi Eunice Ngema; Mlungisi Mthokozisi Xulu; Salmina Mamosebetsi Maduna; Angelee “Angie” Mandy Botha; Duke Ntuthuko Ndwandwe |
The twenty-fifth-anniversary medal, 2017
In 2017, the Order of Malta again donated a medal to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard. As with the 2012 medal, the Brotherhood did not use it merely as a commemorative medal. In the absence of a separate decoration of its own, it adopted the 2017 medal as the succeeding version of its Medal of Merit and presented it in recognition of outstanding service to the Brotherhood and its charitable work.
The Brotherhood's newsletters contain numerous reports of presentations of both the twentieth- and twenty-fifth-anniversary versions as Medals of Merit. These reports provide the documentary basis for a future comprehensive register of recipients.
The twentieth-anniversary medal, 2012
In 2012, the Order of Malta in Rome donated a medal to mark the twentieth anniversary of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard. Although originally designated as a commemorative medal, the Brotherhood did not use it merely as a souvenir of the anniversary. Since it had no separate decoration for meritorious service, it adopted this medal as its Medal of Merit and awarded it to people who had rendered outstanding service to the Brotherhood and its charitable work.
The Brotherhood also awarded its Medal of Merit to the Prince and Grand Master, Frà Matthew Festing. He subsequently wore it among his decorations at official occasions—clear evidence of its use and acceptance as a distinction for meritorious service.
During the Grand Master's visit in 2014, these distinctions were conferred by the Brotherhood—not by the Order of Malta. Father Gérard presented Frà Matthew Festing, in his capacity as a longstanding and particularly helpful member of the Brotherhood, with the commemorative medal for the twentieth anniversary. The same medal was presented to Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager in recognition of his twenty years of membership in the Brotherhood.
Hayne Clark, then head of the Children's Home, was among the local recipients of the medal.
President’s Award
The President’s Award of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard recognises an outstanding personal contribution to the Brotherhood’s culture of excellent service. It is granted by the President of the Brotherhood, taking account of nominations, to a member whose service has made a significant difference in the lives of the people entrusted to the Brotherhood and its subsidiary organisations and projects. A recipient may receive the award only once.
Employees of Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre are also members of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard. Awards conferred on them by the President are therefore distinctions of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard, just as awards to members serving as volunteers are. From 2012 onward, the annual categories were distinguished more precisely: volunteers receive the President’s Award for Volunteer of the Year, while employees receive the President’s Employee of the Year Award. Both belong to the Brotherhood’s system of distinctions. Before this separation, five employees received the President’s Award in its original form.
The first award, 2000
Father Gérard T. Lagleder, President of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard, introduced the award in 2000. It was intended to honour annually the member who had gone beyond the call of duty, served with enthusiasm and good humour, and willingly accepted whatever work was needed.
The first recipient was the Brotherhood’s secretary, Caroline Beaumont. A member since 1993, she had already worked full-time for the Brotherhood for four years while also serving as parish secretary. In recognition of her organisational ability, she had additionally been appointed Chief Housekeeper. The contemporary report praised the seriousness, generosity and readiness with which she carried these responsibilities.
The President’s Award 2001
The annual distinction was conferred on Mr Qinisani Wiseman Zulu in recognition of his outstanding service and loyalty to the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
The President’s Award 2002
Mr Victor Claudius of Durban received the award in gratitude and acknowledgement of his outstanding hard work and generosity in support of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
For Blessed Gérard’s Children’s Home and Hospice, he raised funds and donated R20,000 in cash, 40 beds, 20 blankets, five television sets, a video recorder, a microwave oven, dining-room furniture, ten picnic sets for the playground, two chests of drawers and numerous smaller items.
The President’s Award 2003
The award was presented to Mrs Dorothy Wynne during the Feast of Blessed Gérard on 12 October 2003.
She was honoured for the gentle and professional care she gave to patients, her friendly guidance of caregivers, and her readiness and reliability in accepting great responsibility as nurse-in-charge of Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre and as an active member of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
The President’s Award 2004
The award was presented to Miss Princess Sindisiwe Ndlovu for the outstanding and professional way in which she catered for patients at Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre.
She was particularly recognised for responding to patients’ special dietary requirements with friendliness and patience, and for her readiness and reliability in carrying substantial responsibility as the Care Centre’s professional caterer and as an active member of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
The President’s Award 2005
Miss Fikile Mthethwa was honoured for her good care of the children in Blessed Gérard’s Children’s Home as a housekeeping assistant and caregiver, her strong sense of responsibility, and her outstanding willingness to undertake extraordinary duties voluntarily.
The President’s Award 2006
Miss Susanne “Susi” Stauffer—later Susanne Weiß—was recognised for her excellent care of the children as Project Coordinator and Principal Caregiver of Blessed Gérard’s Children’s Home, her outstanding responsibility and her unparalleled willingness to devote her life to voluntary service.
An active member since 2 September 2004, she became Principal Caregiver in 2005, assumed the project leadership after the death of Clare Kalkwarf in April 2006, and was nominated Vice-Manager of the Brotherhood in August 2006.
The President’s Award 2007
Reverend Father Siphosenkosi Titus “Sipho” Gamede was honoured for his longstanding service as an active member, his loyalty and excellent pastoral care, his exemplary fraternity and integration, and his readiness as a Dedicated Member to share responsibility for the Brotherhood.
The joint President’s Award 2008
The President made a deliberate exception to the usual single-recipient rule and presented one joint award to Reverend Deacon Thomas and Mrs Angelika Müller, whose service was described as an example of an undivided life.
They were recognised for three years of full-time voluntary service as active members, especially in the Hospice and Children’s Home, and for their work in pastoral care, leadership, public relations, maintenance and hospitality. The award was signed at Mandeni on 22 June 2008.
The President’s Award 2009
The award was conferred on Johan Viljoen in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the Brotherhood’s HIV and AIDS work. As project coordinator of the South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s HAART programme, he helped bring Blessed Gérard’s Hospice into the Church’s antiretroviral treatment rollout from 2003 onward.
He was unable to attend the planned presentation and died before a later handover could take place. The distinction was therefore formally conferred but never personally presented; the trophy remains in the Brotherhood’s custody.
The President’s Award 2010
Father Sithembiso Ngcobo received the award in gratitude and acknowledgement of his faithful and invaluable service as Chaplain of Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre, his leadership as a member of the Care Centre’s Council, and his exemplary zeal as an active member of the Brotherhood.
The President’s Award 2011
Following the festive Holy Mass on 16 October 2011, Father Gérard conferred the award on Right Reverend Abbot Godfrey Sieber O.S.B. for his invaluable support in providing continued governance for the Brotherhood, his leadership as a member of its Board of Auditors, his recommendation and praise for its work, and his faithful service as a Spiritual Supporter Member.
Two annual distinctions: From 2012 onward, each year is presented in two columns: the President’s Award for the Volunteer of the Year on the left and the President’s Employee of the Year Award on the right. The employees named here are members of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
President’s Award 2012 · Presented 28 October 2012
Employee of the Year
Patricia Zantombi Ntuli
Recognised for her faithful service as principal of Blessed Gérard’s Pre-Primary School and Crèche.
President’s Award 2013 · Presented 12 October 2013
Volunteer of the Year
Ethel Lwandle
Honoured for her faithful service as an active member of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard and as a volunteer at Blessed Gérard’s Hospice.
Employee of the Year
Fanelesibonge Ndwandwe
Recognised for her faithful service as a caregiver at Blessed Gérard’s Hospice.
President’s Award 2014 · Presented 12 October 2014
Volunteer of the Year
Sister Edith Zulu O.S.B.
Honoured for her faithful service as an active member of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard and as a volunteer at Blessed Gérard’s Children’s Home.
Employee of the Year
Sindisiwe Angeline Sithole
Recognised for her faithful service as a caregiver at Blessed Gérard’s Hospice.
President’s Award 2015 · Presented 18 October 2015
Volunteer of the Year
Portia Zinhle Zulu
Honoured for her faithful voluntary service at Blessed Gérard’s Hospice as an active member of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
Employee of the Year
Fikile Siphiwe Mashaya
Recognised for her faithful service as a caregiver at Blessed Gérard’s Children’s Home.
President’s Award 2016 · Presented 3 September 2016
Volunteer of the Year
Lindeni Princess Mwandla
Honoured for her outstandingly faithful service as a volunteer at Blessed Gérard’s Hospice and as an active member of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard.
Employee of the Year
Mlungisi Mthokozisi Xulu
Recognised for his outstandingly faithful service as a maintenance assistant at Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre.
President’s Award 2017 · Presented 28 October 2017
Volunteer of the Year
Hlobisile Happiness Msomi
Honoured as the year’s most outstanding volunteer.
Employee of the Year
Nana Annastasia Masikane
Recognised for her outstandingly faithful service as a social worker at Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre.
President’s Award 2018 · Presented 14 October 2018
Volunteer of the Year
Sister Conradine Mkhize O.S.B.
Honoured for her outstandingly faithful voluntary service as a professional nurse at Blessed Gérard’s Hospice.
Employee of the Year
Dr Sikhumbuzo Khayelihle Nzimande
Recognised for his outstandingly faithful service as medical doctor and manager of Blessed Gérard’s Hospice.
President’s Award 2019 · Presented 13 October 2019
Volunteer of the Year
Penelope Thandeka Mdhletshe
Honoured as the most outstanding and meritorious volunteer of the year.
Employee of the Year
Carolyn Margaret Nunn
Recognised for her outstandingly faithful service as administrator of Blessed Gérard’s Hospice. No securely identified presentation photograph was contained in the 2019 folder.
President’s Award 2020 · Presented 29 October 2022
Volunteer of the Year
Norma Nomathemba Ngubane
The 2020 distinction was presented retrospectively in 2022 following the pandemic-related interruption of the annual celebration.
Employee of the Year
Hayne Gerald Clark
Recognised for his outstandingly faithful service as manager of Blessed Gérard’s Children’s Home.
President’s Award 2021 · Presented 29 October 2022
Volunteer of the Year
Duke Ntuthuko Ndwandwe
The 2021 distinction was presented retrospectively in 2022 following the pandemic-related interruption of the annual celebration.
Employee of the Year
Zodwa Florence Ndimande
Recognised for her outstandingly faithful service as a data capturer at Blessed Gérard’s Hospice.
President’s Award 2022 · Presented 29 October 2022
Volunteer of the Year
Samuel Bhekuyise Zwane
Honoured as Volunteer of the Year 2022.
Employee of the Year
Khanyi Eunice Ngema
Recognised for her outstandingly faithful service as a housekeeping assistant at Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre.
President’s Award 2023 · Presented 15 October 2023
Volunteer of the Year
Angelee “Angie” Mandy Botha
Honoured for her outstandingly faithful service at Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre.
Employee of the Year
Dr Douglas Patrick Ross
Recognised for his outstandingly faithful service as managing director of Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre.
President’s Award 2024 · Presented 13 October 2024
Volunteer of the Year
Thomas Garth “Tommy” Vogel
Honoured as the year’s best volunteer for his distinguished service as a human-resources specialist.
Employee of the Year
Jabulile Monica Buthelezi
Recognised for her outstandingly faithful service as a social worker at Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre.
President’s Award 2025 · Presented 12 October 2025
Volunteer of the Year
Dumisile Patricia Nene
Honoured for her outstandingly faithful service as a board member of Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre and chairperson of Blessed Gérard’s Early Childhood Development Centre. As she could not attend, the personal presentation remains pending.
Employee of the Year
Tessa Hills
Recognised for her outstandingly faithful service as accounting assistant of Blessed Gérard’s Care Centre and Blessed Gérard’s Early Childhood Development Centre.
President’s Award 2026 · Presented 6 September 2026
Volunteer of the Year
Mechthilde Lagleder
Honoured for decades of exceptionally faithful service in Germany as a fundraiser, public-relations advocate and dedicated supporter of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard and its charitable mission.
Employee of the Year
Dr Julius Dumezweni Muzuvukile Ntshangase
Recognised for his outstandingly faithful service as manager and medical practitioner of Blessed Gérard’s Hospice and its HAART Programme.
Source note: Names and services follow the surviving award certificates; the original presentation photographs are used where they were securely identified. No photograph has been invented or substituted.
Badge of Honour
The Badge of Honour was the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard’s first recognition of meritorious service. It was a distinction of the Brotherhood—not of the Sovereign Order of Malta—and formed the lowest grade in the Brotherhood’s developing system of honours. It preceded the anniversary Medals of Merit and the later, formally approved Medal of Merit in gold, silver and bronze.
Caroline Frances Beaumont
Caroline Beaumont received the Badge of Honour on 15 December 2002, on the same day as Father Albert Herold O.S.B. and Dorothy Wynne.
Father Albert Herold O.S.B.
Father Albert Herold O.S.B. received the Badge of Honour on 15 December 2002. The surviving certificate records that the Brotherhood conferred it in gratitude for outstanding merits.
Dorothy Wynne
Dorothy Wynne received the Badge of Honour on 15 December 2002.
Albertine Sprenzinger-Sporer
Albertine Sporer received the Badge of Honour in gratitude for special merits. Together with her husband Hans Sporer, she supported Father Gérard’s mission from its formative years, promoted the work in Germany and gave practical service in Mandeni.
The surviving certificate establishes the award, but the precise date of conferral has not yet been confirmed. She was also admitted as an Honorary Dedicated Member on 3 September 1996 and later received the Silver Medal pro Merito Melitensi on 22 May 2007.
Susanne Stauffer (later Weiß)
Susanne Stauffer received the Badge of Honour on 12 October 2008. It is the last documented conferral of this early Brotherhood distinction.
Archive note: The register distinguishes between a securely documented award and a securely documented presentation date. Where the surviving certificate establishes the recipient but not the date, no year has been invented.