Cape Town honours David Kramer and Taliep Petersen with Freedom of the City

Venecia Valentine

Cape Town has awarded its highest civic honour, the Freedom of the City, to two of its most influential cultural figures, David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen.

The honours were conferred by Geordin Hill-Lewis during a Special Council sitting at the City of Cape Town City Hall on 20 January 2026.

Kramer was present to receive the award in person. Petersen’s posthumous honour was accepted by his daughters, Jawaahier, Fatiema and Aeesha Petersen.

A tribute to Cape Town’s cultural storytellers

The Special Council sitting featured a musical and video tribute celebrating the lasting creative impact of both artists. Highlights included scenes and songs from their landmark collaborations, District Six: The Musical and Kat and the Kings, works that shaped South African theatre and collective memory.

In his address, Mayor Hill-Lewis said the awards recognised Kramer and Petersen not only as artists of exceptional talent, but as cultural figures who helped Cape Town understand itself.

“Your work has expanded our understanding of ourselves, preserved our histories across generations, and given voice to our shared humanity,” he said, quoting a line from District Six: The Musical. He added that future generations will understand not only what happened in Cape Town’s past, but how it felt.

Culture as a civic pillar

The Mayor noted that adding Kramer and Petersen to the Freedom of the City roll, alongside figures such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Christiaan Barnard, affirms the importance of culture in shaping a city.

“They were musical geniuses. Composers, arrangers, songwriters and playwrights of extraordinary ability,” he said. “Their work gave us joy and nostalgia, but it also carried a powerful moral message. It became the soundtrack of generations.”

He added that their collaborations dissolved artificial divisions and ensured that stories of forced removals and erased communities were never reduced to footnotes.

A daughter’s reflection on legacy

Speaking after the ceremony, Petersen’s daughter Jawahier described the moment as overwhelming.

“I felt him with me,” she said. “Carrying his legacy has sometimes felt heavy, but this ceremony reframed it. It reminded me how privileged I am to be the daughter of someone who symbolises heritage and fought injustice through his God-given talents.”

She said the way people across generations, religions and cultures spoke about her father confirmed that his work continues to live on.

Remembering District Six

As Cape Town marks the 60th anniversary of the District Six forced removals in 2026, Mayor Hill-Lewis said the work of Kramer and Petersen has ensured that a place physically destroyed would never be erased from memory.

“In a society designed to enforce separation, their work pierced the bubble,” he said. “To be a unifying force in such a context is a profound contribution, and it deserves the highest honour.”

About the City’s civic honours

In addition to the Freedom of the City awards, Cape Town also confers Civic Honours and Mayor’s Medals. These recognise extraordinary service, community contribution and nation-building efforts.

The tradition was revived in 2023 after a 12-year break. Honours are now awarded every two years, following a public nomination process and Council approval.