The Conferring of National Honours: How Does it Work?

Members of the public have asked about the system for conferring national honours such as national hero status and state funerals. This column explains how it works.

The Constitution (Article 32(3)(h) gives the president power to confer “such honours as the president considers appropriate on citizens, residents and friends of Namibia in consultation with interested and relevant persons and institutions”.

The Constitution does not provide details or criteria but leaves it to the president’s discretion.

It only requires that actions taken under sub-articles (3) – which includes the conferring of honours – must be proclaimed by the president in the Government Gazette.

The Conferment of National Honours Act, 2012 provides guidance for the president’s exercise of discretion in conferring honours and sets up a committee to advise the president on the issue.