The Bronze Service Medal was instituted by the President of the Republic of South Africa in April 1996.

It was awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army, the military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress, for ten years of exemplary service.

[1] The Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) was the para-military wing of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC).

[4] The medal could be awarded to veteran cadres of the Azanian People's Liberation Army for ten years exemplary service.

[1][4] The position of the Bronze Service Medal in the official military and national orders of precedence was revised upon the institution of a new set of honours on 27 April 2003, but it remained unchanged.