The Nkwe ya Selefera (Silver Leopard) is South Africa's second of the three classes of the Nkwe Decorations (see also Nkwe ya Gauta and Nkwe ya Boronse decorations).
It was instituted with effect from 27 April 2003, and may be awarded to members of the South African National Defence Force (or any other armed forces serving with the SANDF) for conspicuous bravery during military operations. A bar may be awarded to a recipient who earns the decoration again. A recipient is entitled to use the post-nominal letters NS. The Nkwe ya Selefera (Silver Leopard) Decoration replaced the Honoris Crux Silver Decoration (Awarded for exceptional bravery in great danger).
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The honours for bravery may be awarded to officers and other ranks of the SANDF who have distinguished themselves by performing acts of conspicuous bravery during military operations. A bar may be awarded for a successive similar achievement. The award of the decoration. for service in active military operations shall be indicated by distinguishing insignia according to the Service in which the recipient was serving, ie Army uniform: Crossed swords; Air Force uniform: Eagle; Naval uniform: Anchor and Military Health Service uniform: Rod of Aesculapius.
The decoration is a silver 5-armed convex cross with rays separating the arms. In the centre is a light blue roundel displaying a leopard's head. The South African coat of arms appears on the reverse.
The ribbon is light blue with white edges. Light blue represents the feathers of the blue crane bird, which Xhosa kings used to present to brave warriors. An arm-of-service emblem is worn on the ribbon to indicate whether the recipient was serving in the army, air force, navy, or military health service at the time of earning the decoration.
Language of origin: SETSWANA
Medal distinction: LEOPARD
Ribbon colour design: WHITE (Silver) 6mm and SKY BLUE (Blue Crane) 20mm
The NS forms part of a trio of military decorations for bravery, the others being the Nkwe ya Gauta (Golden Leopard) and the Nkwe ya Boronse (Bronze Leopard).