A member who is injured, killed, or dies before completing the required period of duty is deemed to have rendered the qualifying service for awarding of the medal or a clasp.

The period of qualifying service for official visits or inspections in connection with an operation is a minimum of 34 days, which may be continuous or interrupted.

[1] Guidelines consisting of appropriate phrases which may be useful when writing a citation for the award of the Tshumelo Ikatelaho - General Service Medal have been published by the South African Defence Department.

Members of all ranks whose names have been mentioned in dispatches to the President for having distinguished themselves in the execution of duty for actions of bravery or meritorious conduct, leadership, service, or devotion to duty, which may not warrant the award of a particular decoration or medal, are awarded a miniature emblem in the form of the coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa.

[2][7] The position of the Tshumelo Ikatelaho - General Service Medal in the official military and national orders of precedence is as follows:[9]

[1] The Mentioned in Dispatches - Okhankanyiweyo emblem is in the form of the coat of arms of the Republic of South Africa, struck in bronze and 16 millimetres in height.