Freedom of the City to celebrate the legacy of Taliep Petersen and David Kramer

Tears, laughter, dancing, and memories filled the Cape Town City Hall auditorium as David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen were honoured for their immense contribution to Cape Town’s cultural heritage with the Freedom of the City Award.

The ceremony, held yesterday, January 20, kicked off at the Nelson Mandela statue, where members of the Kramer and Petersen families stood together, watching the guard of honour and warmly waving to members of the public who had gathered to share in the moment.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis awarded the City’s highest civic honour to two of its most loved cultural icons, David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen.

This marked the first awarding of the Freedom of the City in Cape Town in almost a decade.

In his address, the Mr Hill-Lewis paid tribute to the lasting legacy of both artists, saying:

“And thanks to you, David Kramer and Taliep Petersen, future generations will know not only what happened here, but how it felt. They will hear our accents, laugh at our jokes, feel our spirit, dance with the ghoema, and then rise with the hope of a city that is richer and more whole because of you. The City of Cape Town is proud to bestow the Freedom of the City on David Kramer and Taliep Petersen.”

In Taliep Petersen’s case, the award was handed over posthumously and accepted by his family, following his death in 2006. 

Mr Kramer, however, was present in person to receive the Freedom of the City award.

Together, they take up their honours alongside Cape Town’s greatest heroes, including the late President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The Petersen family signed the ceremonial scroll on behalf of their beloved father and grandfather.

Mr Petersen's eldest daughter, Jawaahier Petersen, who signed the scroll, shared that instead of simply accepting the award on her father’s behalf, she felt as though she was standing at the podium speaking directly to him and congratulating him on his success.

“We are so proud of you daddy,” she said.

Mr Kramer, wearing his signature black hat and red ‘velskoene’ (vellies), grew visibly emotional during his speech. He said he wished Taliep Petersen were present to share in the auspicious occasion with him.

In lighter moments, he joked about whether the award and the signing of the scroll would grant him special privileges in Cape Town, such as free parking or the right to let cattle graze in open fields in the city centre.

“For many years, I’ve been thinking that there should be a statue of a man beating the ghoema drum in the city. And in that way, even when the wind isn’t blowing, you can still feel the heartbeat of the city,” he said.

“I am honoured to receive this award and be recognised with heroes such as the great Nelson Mandela,” said Mr Kramer.

The ceremony concluded with tribute performances honouring both artists. 

Performers including Luqmaan Adams and Alistair Izobell delivered stirring renditions of songs created individually by Kramer and Petersen, as well as beloved collaborations from District Six: The Musical, Kat & the Kings, and the iconic Welcome to Cape Town song.