Saroj Rajoo, Director of Training and Regional Director of St John, Western Cape, is looking imposing as she carries the ceremonial St John sword at the recent St John Investiture held in Cape Town last month.
Saroj is following in the footsteps of Penny Mordaunt, Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Privy Council in England, who, in her striking teal dress, was one of the surprise stars at the coronation of King Charles III. She was the first woman to present a British monarch with the Sword of Offering and the first woman in history to proclaim a new monarch.
As South Africa enters women’s month, it is fitting to acknowledge Saroj as sword bearer for St John – an honour until recently not bestowed upon women. The Sword of the Order of St John is used to bestow the Accolade of the Order during investiture services. Since ancient times the sword has been used to symbolise power, protection, authority, strength, and courage. A sheathed sword is a sign of diplomacy, dialogue and peace. In chivalric terms the use of a sword unsheathed as a symbol can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the bestowal of the Accolade – a touch on a person’s shoulder with a sword when knighting.
The Sword of the Order is the symbol of the temporal jurisdiction of His Majesty King Charles III, the Sovereign Head. In His Majesty’s absence it is born immediately in front of the Grand Prior, the Lord Prior or the Prior of a Priory. The Prior for South Africa is the Most Reverend Dr Thabo Cecil Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town.
