[1][2] The Woltemade Cross for Bravery, Gold, post-nominal letters WD, was instituted by Warrant of 16 September 1988, published in Government Gazette no.

[3] The cross was named in memory of Wolraad Woltemade, an elderly servant of the Dutch East India Company, who gave his life while rescuing shipwrecked sailors in Table Bay on 1 June 1773.

The ship De Jonge Thomas broke anchor in a gale force Northwestern and was driven ashore in the Salt River Mouth.

[1] The Woltemade Cross for Bravery, Gold could be awarded to South African citizens who have distinguished themselves by outstanding bravery, by placing their own lives in great danger whilst trying to save the life of another person, or by saving or protecting property belonging to the state, within or beyond the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

It is struck in the form of a cross potent with a centre roundel bearing, in relief, a representation of Wolraad Woltemade on his horse saving a man from the sea.