Order of Luthuli (Silver) for Frankel

Bill Frankel, OBE, a long-time benefactor of UCT and chair of the Claude Leon Foundation, has been awarded the Order of Luthuli (Silver) by the South African government. This national order recognises his anti-apartheid activities, with particular reference to his involvement with Canon Collins' International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa (IDAF).

Frankel was responsible for overseeing and secretly channelling funds into Southern Africa to pay for the legal costs of almost every political trial during the apartheid years. National orders are usually conferred annually on Freedom Day, but this year's ceremony was postponed to mourn those who died in the recent xenophobic violence.

The Claude Leon Foundation is one of UCT's Platinum funders (those who have donated over R50 million to UCT over the years). A grandson of Claude Leon, Frankel was born in South Africa and an alumnus of UCT. He is also a recipient of a Vice-Chancellor's Silver Medal for his services to human rights, constitutionalism, education and philanthropy.