[citation needed] The order is named after the ancient civilisation of Mapungubwe, which was located in modern-day South Africa.

[1] It was instituted on 6 December 2002, and its first recipient (in the highest class) was former president Nelson Mandela.

The order originally had three classes, and was enlarged to four in 2004: The badge is a horizontal oval above an inverted trapezium.

Inside the oval frame is depicted a golden rhinoceros with the sun rising above Mapungubwe Hill in the background.

In the centre is an ornate crucible from which molten gold flows down to a red furnace.