Following in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the highest honour within the global Order of St John, the Bailiff Grand Cross, has been made to the Chancellor of the South African Priory, Stuart Waetzel.
Stuart Waetzel is highly respected in his role as Chancellor of the South African Priory. With over forty years of service to the Order and those it serves; Stuart draws on his extensive knowledge to further the mission and vision of St John South Africa.
Following the sanction by British King – His Majesty King Charles III in January 2025, Stuart Waetzel has been promoted to Bailiff Grand Cross. This is the most senior grade within the Order and is awarded sparingly for pre-eminent service to those who have demonstrated the utmost integrity, loyalty and devotion to the Order of St John.
Since 1936, there are less than 70 people who have been awarded this honour. He joins the ranks of such eminent global leaders as South Africa’s Nelson Mandela who was made Bailiff Grand Cross in January 2004, and Archbishop Tutu, who was similarly honoured in September 2017.
Pictured: Stuart Waetzel with Deon Fourier and Ian Crowther, earlier recipients of the Bailiff Grand Cross.
Pictured: Paul Stander, St John South Africa CEO
The Order of St John has been active in South Africa since 1883 providing first aid, eye care, community health training, and event first aid services. They have proactive youth development and volunteer programmes. It is part of the Order of St John, a global health impact organization and one of the oldest NGOs in the world.
Waetzel’s proactive and inclusive leadership style has been evident throughout his service, especially in recent years. He generated positive impact, strengthened and brought together many locally led St John establishments around a common vision of supporting commercial business growth. This enabled the Order to bring its value of togetherness to the forefront of all interactions.
He is a highly experienced governance executive with over twenty-six years of experience in the corporate sector, having worked with South Africa’s largest bank. Alongside his professional career, Waetzel has a deep connection to volunteerism, particularly in health and community service.
Waetzel joined St John South Africa in 1983 and became Chief Commissioner in 2007. He was appointed Chancellor in 2024. Under Waetzel’s leadership, St John South Africa has significantly advanced its business development initiatives, such as First Aid, Eye Care, and Home-Based Care. These initiatives target the largest segment of the population with affordable services. He has furthered the organisation’s direction with reconciliation and encouraged equitable gender and diversity representation at all levels within the Priory.
Pictured: James Moodie, Brigade Chief Commissioner, and Stuart Waetzel