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Civic Honours <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">What are Civic Honours?</h2></span> <p>Civic Honours recognise extraordinary contributions or acts of service to our city and its residents. These include upholding the rights of others, serving their community above themselves, and contributing to nation building through outstanding service and achievements. <br></p><p>A Civic Honour may be bestowed upon a living person or in memory of someone who has passed away. The awards are presented in terms of the City’s <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Conferment%20of%20Civic%20Honours%20Policy.pdf" target="_blank"> Conferment of Civic Honours Policy</a>, which was adopted by Council on 3 December 2008.<br></p><h4>Our awards are given in the following categories:</h4><ul><li>Freedom of the City<br></li><li>Signing of the Civic Honours Book<br></li><li>The Mayor's Medal<br></li><li>Alderman <br></li><li>Freedom of Entry into the City<br></li></ul> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Freedom of the City</h2></span> <p>We present this award to individuals, organisations or military units that have distinguished themselves by their heroic service. This is the highest honour awarded by Council and may be presented if there is a unanimous decision. Once they have been awarded, the recipients are referred to as Freemen of the City. </p> <span> <div class="image-gallery-slider img-gal-1" id="img-gal-1" data-slide="1" data-slides="3" style="height:493.5px;"><div class="image-gallery-content" style="height:414px;">​​​​ <figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-1"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/freedom_mandela.jpg" alt="" style="width:888px;display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p> <b>Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela</b></p></figcaption></figure><figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-2"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/freedom_tutu.jpg" alt="" style="display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p> <b>Desmond Mpilo Tutu</b></p></figcaption></figure><figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-3"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/freedom_vanderross.jpg" alt="" style="display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p> <b>Richard van der Ross</b></p></figcaption></figure><figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-4"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/freedom_kathrada.jpg" alt="" style="display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p> <b>Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada</b></p></figcaption></figure><figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-5"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/freedom_obama.jpg" alt="" style="display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p> <b>Barack Hussein Obama</b></p></figcaption></figure><figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-6"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/freedom_m_obama.jpg" alt="" style="display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p> <b>Michelle La Vaughn Robinson Obama</b></p></figcaption></figure><figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-7"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/freedom_ndungane.jpg" alt="" style="width:888px;display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p> <b>Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane</b></p></figcaption></figure><figure class="itemSlide slide-left slide-8"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/CivicHours_2.jpg" alt="" style="width:888px;display:none;" /><figcaption class="image-slide-text" style="display:none;"> <p> <b>Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Freedom of Cape Town </b></p></figcaption></figure> </div><div class="image-gallery-control"><div class="image-gallery-caption"> </div>​​ <div class="image-gallery-nav"><div class="nav-info">1 of 8<br></div><div class="slide-next"> <i class="icon arrow-white-next"></i> </div><div class="slide-prev"> <i class="icon arrow-white-prev"></i>  </div></div></div></div></span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Signing of the Civic Honours Book ​</h2><p>The Signing of the Civic Honours Book is an honour awarded to a living citizen of Cape Town (or in the memory of a deceased person) who deserves recognition for his or her lengthy and purposeful public service to the city in any field of social, community or civic interest.</p><p>The honouree is invited to sign or inscribe their name in the Civic Honours Book against a citation of their achievements. The book is compiled and maintained by the <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Office%20of%20the%20Executive%20Mayor">Office of the Executive Mayor</a>.<br></p><h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Mayor’s Medal​</h2><p>We award the Mayor’s Medal annually to acknowledge outstanding voluntary contributions made by individuals, associations or groups of people in different fields. These fields may include community affairs, conservation, cultural affairs, economic affairs, extraordinary bravery, recreation and sport, social affairs and services, and youth affairs.</p><p>To view previous recipients of this award, read or download our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/MayorsMedal-PreviousRecipientsBooklet.pdf" target="_blank">Mayor’s Medal Recipients Booklet​</a>.<br></p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Alderman<br></h2></span> <p>Aldermen are high-ranking members of a municipal assembly or council, chosen by elected members rather than by popular vote, or a council member elected by voters.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact">​​</i></div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact​</h4><p> <strong>An Alderman</strong> is the historical title derived from the Anglo-Saxon position of “ealdorman”, literally meaning “elder man”.</p></div></div><p>The title is awarded to a councillor who has served on one or more local government bodies within the Republic of South Africa for a period of 20 years or more. The title is for life, and the recipient receives a lapel badge or medal with a neck ribbon at the ceremony.<br></p><p></p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Freedom of Entry into the City​</h2></span> <p>We award the Freedom of Entry into the City to military units in recognition of outstanding service given to their country and city.</p><p>Military units that receive the honour are allowed to march through Cape Town’s streets on ceremonial days and other occasions “with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying”.</p><h4> Our previous recipients include:</h4><ul><li>2010 (28 April 2010)<br></li><li>Three Medical Battalion Group</li><li>2009 (16 April 2009)</li><li>Air Force Base Ysterplaat</li><li>9 South African Infantry Battalion</li></ul><p>Find out more about the recipients of this honour by downloading our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Signing%20of%20Civic%20Honours%20Book%20Previous%20Recipients%20booklet.pdf" target="_blank">Signing of Civic Honours Book Recipients Booklet​</a>.​​​​<br></p><h2 class="sectHeading">2023 Civic Honours</h2><p>In 2023, Civic Honours will be awarded to several individuals for their significant contribution to society – in Cape Town and throughout the world. </p><h4>The individuals who will be recorded in the Civic Honours Book are: </h4><ul><li> <strong>Albie Sachs</strong> - lawyer, activist and former Constitutional Court Justice<br></li><li> <strong>Athol Fugard</strong> - legendary SA playwright<br></li><li> <strong>Basil D’Oliveira</strong> - the greatest SA test cricketer to have never played for SA<br></li><li> <strong>Bennie Rabinowitz</strong> - social justice advocate and philanthropist,<br></li><li> <strong>Brenda Fassie</strong> - queen of African pop, and <em>Ma Brrr</em> to her many fans<br></li><li> <strong>Breyten Breytenbach</strong> - afrikaans poet, painter and former political prisoner<br></li><li> <strong>Desiree Ellis</strong> - former SA soccer star, captain and current national team coach</li><li> <strong>AG “Sailor” Malan</strong> - WWII fighter pilot hero and anti-apartheid activist<br></li><li> <strong>Dr Imtiaz Sooliman</strong> - humanitarian and founder of<em> Gift of the Givers</em> </li><li> <strong>Jonathan Butler</strong> - acclaimed singer-songwriter, guitarist and global music star<br></li><li> <strong>Pieter-Dirk Uys</strong> - political satirist, playwright and HIV/AIDS educator<br></li><li> <strong>Krotoa</strong> - teenage interpreter and peace broker between the Khoi and the Dutch in the 17th Century, </li><li><strong> Dr Thabo Makgoba</strong> - social, education and climate justice activist, and Archbishop of Cape Town,</li></ul><p>Mayor’s Medals will also be issued to people or associations that have served a community with a high degree of dedication and sacrifice.<br></p><h4>The recipients of the Mayor’s Medal this year are: </h4><ul><li>Friends of Mostert’s Mill </li><li>Founders of The Clothing Bank </li><li>Tracey Chambers and Tracey Gilmore<br></li><li>Danny Diliberto of Ladles of Love<br></li><li>The late Shaleen Surtie-Richards </li><li>Langa’s Busy Bees Rugby Club </li><li>The late Hank Lith of Claremont Arderne Gardens </li><li>Zoë Prinsloo of Save a Fishie </li><li>The Volunteer Wildfire Services </li><li>State capture corruption buster, Athol Williams<br></li></ul><p> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Civic_Honours_Previous_Recipients_List.pdf" target="_blank">View a list of past recipients</a>.<br></p>GP0|#ec8421e6-211a-4a59-b316-53e7abb69111;L0|#0ec8421e6-211a-4a59-b316-53e7abb69111|Civic Honours;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#3b2fa557-1c67-40ba-b54e-9c7f47e488d5;GPP|#2ad5ede6-473c-4550-a932-aabda12143b1;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#4a6249ce-230c-4e7a-85f1-07d943882366;L0|#04a6249ce-230c-4e7a-85f1-07d943882366|Civic Honours;GPP|#37979909-fcf8-40e7-8391-35fe96beb318;GPP|#d3f3e0bd-5b83-4c1f-845c-7e13f8f4e17d;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752;GP0|#429ad62a-e86a-4584-9d80-28c8ad62a85b;L0|#0429ad62a-e86a-4584-9d80-28c8ad62a85b|Civic Honours;GPP|#ad06c7fb-0083-4046-9a2d-e55047830986;GPP|#fdaaa5aa-bac4-497d-b6ea-347f228ec59d;GPP|#e88ff549-973f-4e3c-a46c-cfbe61bd6a24Learn more about our Civic Honours awarded to outstanding individuals, organisations and military units.0

 

 

Civic Honours Past Recipients List225979GP0|#af8a3963-d9e4-485f-ac84-7f8e7d3eff34;L0|#0af8a3963-d9e4-485f-ac84-7f8e7d3eff34|List;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2023-08-30T22:00:00Z
Conferment of Civic Honours Policy157777GP0|#ecf0e702-25db-4c12-bbc2-be85db2304fd;L0|#0ecf0e702-25db-4c12-bbc2-be85db2304fd|Policy;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#2d2209ac-5bcc-4d2a-9da9-05fb21c94ea1;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2020-12-02T22:00:00Z
Mayor's Medal Recipients Booklet3883236GP0|#5702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a;L0|#05702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a|Booklet;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2015-12-31T22:00:00Z
Signing of Civic Honours Recipients Booklet 2393211GP0|#5702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a;L0|#05702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a|Booklet;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2015-12-31T22:00:00Z

 

 

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