There’s been a call for Nominations for Civic Honours in 2025. Residents are invited to nominate individuals or organisations who they think should be awarded Civic Honours this year. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says nominations will be open for the next two months, until March 12th. He says a ceremony will be held later this year.
Call for Nominations for Civic Honours in 2025
The Mayor says that Civic Honours are conferred on individuals or organisations that have distinguished themselves through extraordinary acts of service, outstanding contributions to the wider city community, personal sacrifice, and nation-building contributions. He says a Civic Honour may also be conferred on a living person or in memory of a deceased person.
Hill-Lewis said, “We encourage Capetonians to get involved by submitting a nomination on or before 12 March, and we look forward to celebrating a new group of amazing honourees at the ceremony later this year.”
The Mayor says Civic Honours recognise the contributions of remarkable people who have delivered exceptional public service in any field of social, community, or civic interest. He added that to promote pride in our city, City Officials revived the tradition of Civic Honours in 2023 after a 12-year hiatus. They have now made these awards a regular fixture every two years.
“Honours recipients have generally achieved extraordinary acclaim in their chosen field, have won international recognition for their talent or contribution, or distinguished themselves with extraordinary community service”, he added.
Awards are conferred in several categories: Freedom of the City, Civic Honours Book, Mayor’s Medal, and Freedom of Entry into the City.
Freedom of the City
This is the City’s highest and most prestigious award, bestowed only rarely, upon individuals, organisations or military units that have brought global acclaim to Cape Town and distinguished themselves exceptionally. Past recipients include the late President Nelson Mandela and the late Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu.
Civic Honours Book
The second-highest honour the City can confer is the Signing of the Civic Honours Book. This is where either a living person or their next of kin in the case of a posthumous award, signs their name in the Civic Honours Book next to a citation of their achievements. Recipients also receive a beautiful scroll containing the same citation of achievements.
The individuals recorded in the Civic Honours Book in the most recent bestowment in December 2023 are:
Lawyer, activist and former Constitutional Court Justice, Albie Sachs.
Legendary South African playwright, Athol Fugard.
The greatest South African test cricketer to have never played for South Africa, Basil D’Oliveira.
Social justice advocate and philanthropist, Bennie Rabinowitz.
The Queen of African pop, and Ma Brrr to her many fans, Brenda Fassie.
Afrikaans poet, painter and former political prisoner, Breyten Breytenbach.
Former South African soccer star and captain, and current national team coach, Desiree Ellis.
World War II fighter pilot hero, and anti-apartheid activist, AG “Sailor” Malan.
Humanitarian and founder of Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter, guitarist and global music star, Jonathan Butler.
Political satirist, playwright and HIV/Aids educator, Pieter-Dirk Uys.
Teenage interpreter and peace broker between the Khoi and the Dutch in the 17th Century, Krotoa.
Social, education and climate justice activist, and Archbishop of Cape Town, Dr Thabo Makgoba.
MORE ABOUT: Civic Honours 2025
The Mayor’s Medal
This prestigious award acknowledges outstanding contributions by individuals or associations in several different fields, including:
- community service
- the arts; social services
- youth affairs
- recreation and sport
- conservation
- economic affairs
- animal welfare
- extraordinary bravery
READ MORE: Cape Town honours fallen heroes with Memorial Wall
In the most recent round of Civic Honours in December 2023, Mayor’s Medals were bestowed on:
The Friends of Mostert’s Mill;
Founders of The Clothing Bank, Tracey Chambers and Tracey Gilmore.
Ladles of Love’s Danny Diliberto.
The late Shaleen Surtie-Richards
Langa’s Busy Bees Rugby Club
The late Hank Lith of Claremont Arderne Gardens
Zoë Prinsloo of Save a Fishie
The Volunteer Wildfire Services,
and state capture corruption buster, Athol Williams
How to nominate
All nominations must be presented in writing, motivating for the honour to be bestowed and include adequate motivation.
To submit a nomination for Civic Honours, visit: www.capetown.gov.za/CivicHonours
THIS ARTICLE WAS COMPILED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN’S MEDIA OFFICE.
