Distinguished Service Medal, Gold

The Distinguished Service Medal, Gold was instituted by the President of the Republic of Venda in 1985, for award to all ranks for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty.

The Venda Defence Force
The 900 member Venda Defence Force (VDF) was established upon that country's independence on 13 September 1979. It initially consisted of two infantry battalions with one armored personnel carrier and one engineering unit, and an air wing with three helicopters.

The Fount of Honour for all Venda's military decorations and medals was the President of Venda.

The Republic of Venda ceased to exist on 27 April 1994 and the Venda Defence Force was amalgamated with six other military forces into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The seven constituent military forces were:
 * The South African Defence Force (SADF).
 * The Transkei Defence Force (TDF) of the Republic of Transkei.
 * The Bophuthatswana Defence Force (BDF) of the Republic of Bophuthatswana.
 * The Venda Defence Force.
 * The Ciskei Defence Force (CDF) of the Republic of Ciskei.
 * Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the military wing of the African National Congress.
 * The Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA), the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress.

Award criteria
The Distinguished Service Medal, Gold was instituted by the President in 1985 and was awarded to all ranks for exceptionally meritorious service and particular devotion to duty.

Order of precedence
Since the Distinguished Service Medal, Gold was authorised for wear by one of the statutory forces that came to be part of the South African National Defence Force on 27 April 1994, it was accorded a position in the official South African order of precedence on that date.


 * Venda Defence Force until 26 April 1994:
 * Official VDF order of precedence:
 * Preceded by the Gallantry Cross, Silver (GCS).
 * Succeeded by the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver.


 * Venda official national order of precedence:
 * Preceded by the National Force Distinguished Service Medal (SOO).
 * Succeeded by the Police Distinguished Service Decoration (SOO).


 * South African National Defence Force from 27 April 1994:
 * Official SANDF order of precedence:
 * Preceded by the Defence Force Merit Decoration of the Republic of Bophuthatswana.
 * Succeeded by the Sandile Decoration (SD) of the Republic of Ciskei.


 * Official national order of precedence:
 * Preceded by the Gazankulu Police Star for Distinguished Service.
 * Succeeded by the Police Distinguished Service Decoration (SOO) of the Republic of Venda.

The position of the Distinguished Service Medal, Gold in the official order of precedence was revised twice after 1994 to accommodate the inclusion or institution of new decorations and medals, first in April 1996 when decorations and medals were belatedly instituted for the two former non-statutory forces, the Azanian People's Liberation Army and Umkhonto we Sizwe, and again with the institution of a new set of honours on 27 April 2003, but it remained unchanged on both occasions.

Description
The Distinguished Service Medal, Gold is a silver-gilt medallion, 38 millimetres in diameter, with the letter V above two interlaced rings.
 * Obverse

The reverse displays the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Venda and, around the perimeter, the words "FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE" at the top and "KHA U FULUFHEDZEA MUSHUMONI" at the bottom.
 * Reverse

The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide with a 2 millimetres wide dark green band, a 1½ millimetres wide brown band, a 27 millimetres wide dark blue band, a 1½ millimetres wide brown band and a 2 millimetres wide dark green band.
 * Ribbon

Discontinuation
Conferment of the Distinguished Service Medal, Gold was discontinued when the Republic of Venda ceased to exist on 27 April 1994.