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

It was awarded to veteran cadres of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress, for twenty years service.

It was established on 16 December 1961 to wage an armed "struggle" against the Nationalist government inside South Africa.

[1][4] The position of the Service Medal in Silver 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.

[1][7][8] Conferment of the Service Medal in Silver was discontinued upon the institution of a new set of honours on 27 April 2003.