Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis celebrated the city’s most exceptional citizens on Friday 14 November, presenting Civic Honours to a distinguished group of individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities and fields of expertise.
In a ceremony held at City Council chambers, the mayor recognised achievements spanning sports, arts, community service, conservation, and acts of extraordinary bravery. The prestigious awards mark the continuation of a tradition revived by Hill-Lewis in 2023 following a decade-long hiatus.
“What makes Cape Town truly great is her people,” Hill-Lewis told the gathering. “Capetonians have a way of lifting this city high and making us incredibly proud, whether they shine through their art, their skills, their service, their intellectual discourse, their acts of kindness, or their fierce loyalty to their community.”
The ceremony also announced that two of Cape Town’s most beloved cultural figures – musician David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen – will receive the city’s highest honour, the Freedom of the City, at a special ceremony in January 2026.
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Cricket legends lead distinguished recipients
The second-highest municipal honour, signing of the Civic Honours Book, was awarded to four remarkable individuals whose contributions have earned international recognition.
South African cricket legend Jacques Kallis, widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest all-rounders, was honored alongside SA Test captain Temba Bavuma, who led the team to victory in the ICC World Test Championship in June.
The ceremony also recognised acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Hermanus for his international cinematic achievements and veteran parliamentarian Tony Leon for his distinguished career in diplomacy and public service.
Celebrating community champions
The prestigious Mayor’s Medal was awarded across multiple categories, recognising both individual excellence and organisational impact.
Community service honorees included the late Prof Brian O’Connell, former vice-chancellor of the University of the Western Cape, and philanthropist Wendy Ackerman for their transformative contributions to Cape Town society.
In social services, recognition went to The Haven Night Shelter for providing dignified accommodation to help people transition off the streets, and The Service Dining Rooms, which has served meals to Cape Town’s homeless population for over 90 years.
Medical researcher Victor Pick was posthumously honoured for his role in the world’s first successful heart transplant performed by the late Dr Christiaan Barnard.
Cultural affairs saw a particularly strong showing, with awards going to: multi award-winning performer Basil Appollis; renowned singer and actor Emo Adams; versatile performing artist Denise Newman; music journalist Louis Heyneman for advancing arts and cultural development; and the late Sylvia “Mama Kaap” Mdunyelwa, Langa’s legendary jazz figure.
Sports and recreation honours celebrated Springbok Women’s team captain Babalwa Latsha, the late SA football legend Bernard Hartze, and Hamilton Rugby Club in Sea Point, the country’s oldest rugby club founded in 1875.
Conservation recognition highlighted the decades-long environmental work of Friends of the Liesbeek River restoration group, Dr Joan Parker’s transformation of the Upper Liesbeek River Garden, and the Two Oceans Aquarium’s marine conservation leadership.
Economist Prof Brian Kantor received recognition for economic affairs, while The Mountain Club of South Africa earned honours for extraordinary bravery through their volunteer search and rescue operations.
Reviving civic pride
The Civic Honours programme follows a public nomination process conducted earlier this year, with final selections approved by Full Council and confirmed by nominees.
The biennial awards represent Hill-Lewis’s effort to restore civic pride and formally recognise Cape Town’s most impactful citizens.
“To all our civic honors recipients – and to all our great Capetonians out there – you make us proud and you give us hope,” Hill-Lewis remarked. “We also say thank you to every Capetonian who may not be in this Council chamber this morning, but who play their part in making our city great.”
The ceremony marks the second iteration of the revived tradition, with the next awards scheduled for 2027.
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