The iPhrothiya yeBhronzi - Bronze Protea, post-nominal letters PB, was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003. It can be awarded to all ranks who have distinguished themselves by leadership or meritorious service and devotion to duty.
The South African military
The Union Defence Forces (UDF) were established in 1912 and renamed the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1958. On 27 April 1994 it was integrated with six other independent forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
Institution
The iPhrothiya yeBhronzi - Bronze Protea, post-nominal letters PB, was instituted by the President on 16 April 2003 and came into effect on 27 April 2003, to replace the Military Merit Medal (MMM). The bilingual title of the decoration is in isiNdebele and English.
;Leadership
- Quality of work.
- Unselfishness.
- Ability to organise.
- Ability to persevere.
;Meritorious Service
- High quality.
- Positive attitude.
- More than normal duties.
- Results in favour of the SANDF.
- Positive conduct sheet.
- Creativity.
- Initiative.
;Devotion to duty
- Loyalty.
- Conscientious/responsible.
- Punctual.
Order of wear
The position of the iPhrothiya yeBhronzi - Bronze Protea in the official military and national orders of precedence is as follows:
x37px|Merit Medal in Bronze (MMB) x37px|iPhrothiya yeBhronzi (PB) x37px|Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal
;Official military order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Merit Medal in Bronze (MMB) of Umkhonto we Sizwe.
- Succeeded by the Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal of the Republic of Ciskei.
;Official national order of precedence:
- Preceded by the Merit Medal in Bronze (MMB) of Umkhonto we Sizwe.
- Succeeded by the Chief C.D.F. Commendation Medal of the Republic of Ciskei.
Description
;Obverse
The iPhrothiya yeBhronzi - Bronze Protea is a six-pointed star, struck in bronze and displaying a stylised protea, South Africa's national flower, on a blue hexagon in the centre.