'I thought it was all a scam'

Soweto-born scientist Dr Patience Mthunzi, perhaps like most people would do, ignored e-mails and calls from people claiming to be from the Presidency.

Since last year, staff at the Presidency have sent her e-mails and called to tell her that she was nominated and would eventually be presented with The Order of Mapungubwe in bronze, by President Jacob Zuma at a gala dinner tomorrow night.

Speaking from Pretoria, Mthunzi said: "I thought it was all a scam. I got a call from a guy who said he was from the Presidency and I was nasty to him - I mean, you don't get calls like that."

The 35-year-old Mthunzi, who leads the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR) molecule biophotonic projects, holds a master's degree in biochemistry from the University of Johannesburg and a PhD in physics from Scotland's University of St Andrews.

She is said to be the only known South African qualified in that field.

Biophotonics deals with the interaction between biological items and photons.

Mthunzi says her sister started a war in the household when told that guests could only bring one partner for the ceremony.

Mthunzi had taken her mother to Scotland for her graduation, and planned to take her to the gala dinner as well.

Fortunately the Presidency granted her plea to bring both her mother and sister, since she doesn't require accommodation or travel as she lives in Pretoria.

Meanwhile, Neil Sharrocks said he was running around looking for a pair of shoes before flying to Gauteng ahead of this afternoon's rehearsals for the dinner.

"I didn't even know it was a black-tie affair. We don't wear that down here (Knysna)," he said chuckling.

The Presidency said Sharrocks would be honoured with The Order of Mendi in silver for Bravery for his "act of bravery by putting his life at risk".

Last year, Sharrocks rescued 44 pupils who were in danger of drowning after their 32-seater bus had rolled down the hill into the Kasatdrift River, outside Knysna.

If Gladys Agulhas continues to cry every time she thinks of her impending Order of Ikhamanga in silver award, she'll be out of tears by the time she meets Zuma at the Presidential Guest House.

Agulhas, who runs her dance company, Agulhas Theatre Works, said: "I'm still blown away about the whole thing. I asked the gentleman who called me if he was sure he had called the right person."

Other nominees for national orders include: Johnny Clegg, Muthal Naidoo, Joe Thloloe, Cheeky Watson, Selwyn Levin, Gladys Ramahuto, Zane Wilson, Rev Fenner Christian Kadale and Daniel Krige.