For decades their music and storytelling have defined Cape Town’s cultural soul, providing the soundtrack to generations of South Africans.
The names David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen spark instant recognition, evoking familiarity and nostalgia.
Yesterday (20 January) the duo was honoured with the Freedom of the City of Cape Town, the highest accolade the City can bestow, during a special council sitting at the City Hall.
The civic award is reserved for individuals whose lives and contributions are so interwoven with the story of the city that they “become part of its very fabric”, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis pointed out in his speech.
ALSO READ: David Kramer and Taliep Petersen to receive Cape Town’s highest civic honour
In Cape Town’s history this honour has been conferred only 13 times on figures of extraordinary stature like the late president Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Dr Chris Barnard.
Proceedings kicked off with a guard of honour outside the City Hall, where a photo opportunity took place with the families of Kramer and the late Petersen took place.
In the hall guests a moment of silence was observed for Petersen.
The citations of Kramer and Petersen were read by Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews, followed by musical tributes and performances.
Petersen’s posthumous award was accepted by his daughters, Jawaahier, Fatiema and Aeesha Petersen. On accepting the award an emotional Jawaahier read a moving letter penned to her dad.
Speaking to People’s Post Jawaahier said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for her late dad.
“I am moved, honoured and so proud to say that Taliep Petersen was my dad. He was incredible and his legacy lives on. May his name never be forgotten…I am pretty certain that his name is not going anywhere anytime soon. Slamat (congratulations) Daddy”
Kramer said he felt honoured to be recognised in this way.
“To be acknowledged as an artist by this city is truly a great thing. We are the first artists to be given the Freedom of the City. Taliep would have loved the acknowledgement; this would have been his day.”
Hill-Lewis said the City recognised them for their significant contributions to advancing cultural expression.
“Growing up in Cape Town these are two people were with one all the time. One hears their songs and learns about them at school and they are part of our cultural life in Cape Town and South Africa. These two people stand out like a bright light in our city’s cultural landscape.”
He noted the calligraphy craft that went into adding Kramer and Petersen’s names and citations to the Freedom of the City book and to their individual scrolls.
These include the pattern of the original broekie-lace ironwork rescued from District Six and now preserved in the museum, to an original District Six map, David’s red vellies, Taliep’s street name, a Karoo windmill, their music albums and some of the fauna and flora from the places they grew up in.
Provincial Minster of Cultural Affairs and Sport Ricardo Mackenzie said the duo gave a voice to the country’s history.
“David Kramer and Taliep Petersen did more than create music and theatre; they gave voice to our histories, our communities and our shared humanity.”
Musician and performer Alistair Izobel said he felt honoured to produce the musical tribute to Kramer and Petersen at the ceremony.
“Putting it together meant revisiting music I have had in my veins for at least 40 years. As a 9-year-old boy one never thinks that four decades later one is going to be celebrating two of the most influential people in one’s life.”
