ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION

1.        Short title

2.        Interpretation

3.        Award of honours

4.        Regulations

5.        Penalty for the unauthorized use of honours

                            Schedule

Act 21, 1967,
Act 35, 1975,
S.I. 10, 1976,
S.I. 54, 1984,
S.I. 88, 1990,
S.I. 48, 1995,
S.I. 17, 1998,
Act 9, 1999,
S.I. 86, 1999.

An Act to provide for the award of honours and other distinctions by the President.

[Date of Commencement: 15th September, 1967]

1.       Short title

            This Act may be cited as the Botswana Honours Act.

2.       Interpretation

            In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-

            "honour" means an honour, order, decoration, insignia, badge, medal or distinction and, except in the case of a foreign or Commonwealth honour, means an honour prescribed in the Schedule;

            "unauthorized person" means any person other than the person to whom an honour has been awarded under this Act, or his widow.

3.       Award of honours

            (1) Honours shall be awarded by the President-

     (a)     on such occasions and to such persons as he may determine; or

     (b)     in accordance with any motion passed by a simple majority in the National Assembly calling upon him so to do.

            (2) The President may delegate his powers under subsection (1) to any Minister as he deems fit, to present Botswana Honours on the President's behalf.

4.       Regulations

            The President may make regulations-

     (a)     amending the Schedule by the addition thereto, or the exclusion therefrom, of any honour, or by changing the description of any honour or the circumstances in which it may be awarded;

     (b)     prescribing the specifications or nature of any medal ribbon or other insignia of any honour;

     (c)     prescribing the circumstances in which a citizen of Botswana may accept a foreign or Commonwealth honour;

     (d)     prescribing the order of precedence of any honour (including a foreign or Commonwealth honour) and the occasions on which, and the manner in which, such honour, or any miniature or ribbon thereof may or shall be worn;

     (e)     generally for the better carrying out the objects and purposes of this Act.

5.       Penalty for the unauthorized use of honours

            Any unauthorized person who uses or wears any honour or a miniature or ribbon thereof or who uses or wears any medal, badge, emblem, ribbon or other article which might reasonably be mistaken for an honour or the miniature or ribbon thereof shall be guilty of an offence and liable, to a fine not exceeding P50.

SCHEDULE

1.  The Cross of Gallantry (C.G.), being an honour awarded for outstanding deeds of gallantry.

2.  The Naledi ya Botswana (N.Y.B.), being an honour awarded for outstanding service to the Republic of Botswana.

3.  The Presidential Order of Meritorious Service (P.M.S.), being an honour awarded to any persons for actions or services benefiting Botswana or any community or organization therein in any particular field or sphere and for any acts of courage or devotion to duty.

4.  The Botswana Police Medal for Meritorious Service (B.P.M.), awarded to members of the Botswana Police Force for service of an especially meritorious nature.

5.  The Presidential Order of Honour (P.H.), being an honour awarded for efficient and devoted service to the Republic of Botswana.

6.  The Botswana Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (B.P.L.S.G.C.M.), awarded for long service and good conduct in the Botswana Police Force.

7.  The Botswana Prison Service Medal (B.P.S.M.), awarded for long service and good conduct in the Botswana Prison Service.

8.  The Presidential Certificate of Honour (P.C.H.), being a certificate awarded for long and faithful service to Botswana.

9.  The Presidential Order of Botswana (P.O.B.), being an honour awarded for outstanding statesmanship.

10.        The Botswana Police Centenary Medal to celebrate the hundredth year since the foundation of what became the Botswana Police Force, and to be awarded to police officers who, on the 15th August, 1985, were of or above the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police.

11.        The Botswana Prison Service Medal for Meritorious Service (M.M.S.), being an honour awarded to members of the Botswana Prison Service for service of an especially meritorious nature which has contributed outstandingly to the development of the Prison Service in particular and to Botswana generally.

12.        The Botswana Police Distinguished Service Order (D.O.S.), being an honour awarded to members of the Botswana Police Force who have distinguished themselves by their devotion to duty.

13.        The Botswana Police Jubilee Service Medal (P.J.S.M.) being an honour awarded to a member of the Botswana Police Force who has served at least 25 years in the Police Force and has shown by his conduct and character that he is worthy of the honour.

14.        The Botswana Police Medal for Conspicuous Bravery (C.B.M.) being an honour awarded to members of the Botswana Police Force who have, in the course of service, exhibited conspicuous bravery.

15.        The Botswana Police Centenary Medal, being an honour to celebrate the hundredth year of the foundation of what has become the Botswana Police Force, and which honour shall be awarded to members of the Botswana Police Force who, on the 15th August, 1985, were of or above the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police.

16.        The Botswana Prison Service Distinguished Service Order (B.P.D.O.), being an honour awarded for meritorious service with an exemplary record to members of the Botswana Prison Service who have served in the Botswana Prison Service for at least 30 continuous years.

17.        The Botswana Prison Service Jubilee Service Medal (B.P.J.M.), being an honour awarded to members of the Botswana Prison Service for at least 25 years continuous and good service.

18.        The Botswana Prison Service Medal for Conspicuous Bravery (B.M.C.B.), being an honour awarded to members of the Botswana Prison Service for outstandingly brave or courageous conduct which goes beyond the call of duty.

19.        The Botswana Teachers Long and Distinguished Service Award (BTLS), being an honour awarded to members of the teaching profession in Botswana who have distinguished themselves by devoted and exemplary service of at least 30 years.

20.        The Botswana Teachers Meritorious Service Award (BTMS), being an honour awarded to members of the teaching profession in Botswana for service of an especially meritorious nature.

 21.        The Botswana Teachers' Silver Jubilee Medal (BTSJ), being an honour awarded to members of the teaching profession in Botswana for at least 25 years continuous and reputable service.

22.        The Botswana Teachers' Mid-Career Medal (BTMC), being an honour awarded to members of the teaching profession in Botswana who have distinguished themselves by reputable service of at least 15 years.