The City of Cape Town has honoured outstanding citizens, from the late Taliep Petersen to legendary jazz maestro Abdullah Ibrahim for their contributions to their communities and the city.
The City honoured 26 individuals and organisations at the special council meeting at a packed civic centre. The Civic Honours ceremony came a day after President Jacob Zuma bestowed national orders on 37 organisations, academics, struggle icons and sportsmen.
Eleven individuals were selected to sign the Civic Honours Book, one of the highest accolades that the city can confer on its residents.
They were retired Pick n Pay chairman Raymond Ackerman, politician Colin Eglin, architect Gawie Fagan, Professor Jakes Gerwel, Ibrahim, author James Matthews, ballet dancer Johaar Mosaval, media mogul Ton Vosloo, the late transport minister Dullah Omar, Petersen and Eulalie Stott. Suzanne Ackerman-Berman signed on behalf of her father, Raymond Ackerman, who is out of the country. Omar was represented by his brother, Ebrahim, and Petersen was represented by his daughters Aeesha and Fatiema.
Executive mayor Dan Plato said: "Today we are celebrating a group of individuals who have been actively promoting these valuable binding forces, to the benefit of every person in Cape Town. I would like to congratulate this year's winners as a collective, and thank them for their valued contributions to making Cape Town a great city."
Speaking after the ceremony, Ibrahim said he was honoured as this was the first such accolade from his hometown.
"I now feel blessed. It's a deep honour for me and all those unsung heroes and musicians who died in poverty. I was 15-years old when I had my first concert in the city. But I got awards everywhere else in the world," said Ibrahim, who was educated at Trafalgar High School in District Six.
At the ceremony, the Mayor's Medal was also awarded to 13 civilians - and one organisation - for their individual contributions to community development, cultural affairs, sport and conservation.
They are May Abrahamse, Anne Bean, Hansie Christians, Shamiel Davids, Robbie Jansen, Fenner Christian Kadalie, Dawood Khan, Michael Koopman, Leonard Koza, Graham Power, Andrew Talliard, Okkie van Sensie, Theodore Yach, and the Mosaic Training Service & Healing Centre.
This year, the Freedom of Entry to the City was granted to 3 Medical Battalion Group of the South African National Defence Force. The unit operates from Goodwood with about 350 part-time and five permanent members.
Five councillors were also promoted to the rank of alderman during the ceremony. An alderman is a high-ranking member of a municipal council chosen by the elected members themselves. The councillors are Garin Cavanagh, Owen Kinahan, Anthea Serritslev, JP Smith and Marian Nieuwoudt.