Few creative partnerships have captured the soul of Cape Town quite like that of playwright and directors David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen.
The duo gave voice to the untold stories of ordinary people through timeless works such as District Six: The Musical and Kat and the Kings productions that gone beyond entertainment to become powerful reflections on identity and social justice.
Today years later their legacy continues to echo deeply with audiences both locally and internationally.
To recognise their significant contribution to South African culture and the impact of their artistry, the City of Cape Town has announced that it will bestow its highest civic honour the Freedom of the City on Kramer and Petersen.
The event will take place during a ceremony in January next year.
The City will also award Civic Honours and Mayor’s Medals to a range of luminaries at a Council ceremony later this month.
Speaking to People’s Post, Kraner said it feels “wonderful to be acknowledged”.
“We got together many years ago and we just worked well together. We had no experience of writing musicals and the fact that it turned into the classic that it has become and people still singing those songs, is heartwarming.”
He said they could never have imagined that the productions would make such an impact not only on Cape Town but around the world.
“District Six the Musical is a story of forced removals and social injustice and we are not free of social injustice. To be able to articulate that on the stage and have people be able to identify with their own lives and stories in an artistic form is why I think it has continued to be popular and of significance today.
Kramer believes Cape Town and its diversity helped shape their creative journey.
He encouraged aspiring artists to be unique.
“Find your identity and stop copying overseas artists. You have to find an identity and express something about your life and how you interact with your environment that you grew up in.”
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said that Petersen and Kramer would join historic figures such as President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who were among the few people ever awarded the Freedom of Cape Town.
“This legendary duo have not only entertained us over the generations, but have fundamentally shaped South African musical theatre and the rich cultural heritage of the Western Cape.”
Kramer said he cherishes countless memories of his friend and thinks of him every day.
“I have many memories of Taliep but most importantly is that I miss him very much. I think of him every day especially when I sit in theatre and think ‘what would we have achieved if he was still here?’ I miss him and I am so pleased that he is being honoured in this way with the Freedom of the City.”
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