Cape Town: Civic Honours 2025 is here and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis along with the City of Cape Town are calling all residents to nominate individuals or organisations that are to be recognised with Civic Honours in 2025.
Reportedly, the nominations are invited until March 12, 2025 with the ceremony set to take place a bit later this year. To submit your nominations, one must be presented in writing, motivating for the honour to be bestowed and include adequate motivation.
The City of Cape Town rewards Civic Honours to the outstanding individuals, organisations or military units.
Civic Honours recognises extraordinary contributions or acts of service to the city and its residents. This includes upholding the rights of others, the ones who served their community above themselves and contributed to nation building through outstanding service and achievements.
A Civic Honour may be bestowed upon a living person or in memory of someone who has passed away. The awards are presented in terms of the Conferment of Civic Honours Policy by the City of Cape Town which was adopted by Council on Dec 03, 2008.
The awards are given for the following categories, such as:
- Freedom of the City
This award is presented to the individuals, organisations or military units that have distinguished themselves by their heroic service. This is the highest honour awarded by the Council and may be presented if the decision is taken unanimously. Once they have been awarded, the recipients are referred to as Freeman of the City. - Signing of the Civic Honours Book
The Signing of the Civic Honours Book is an honour in itself that is awarded to a living citizen of Cape Town or in the memory of a deceased person who deserves recognition for his or her lengthy and purposeful public service to the city in any field, mainly considering of social, community or civic interest. The honouree is invited to sign or inscribe their name in the Civic Honours Book against a citation of their achievements. The book is compiled and maintained by the Office of the Executive Mayor. - The Mayor’s Medal
Mayor’s Medal is awarded annually to acknowledge outstanding voluntary contributions made by individuals, associations or groups of people in different fields. These fields may consist of community affairs, conservation, cultural affairs, economic affairs, extraordinary bravery, recreation and sport, as well as social affairs and services and youth affairs. - Alderman
The Alderman are high-ranking members of a municipal assembly or council, chosen by elected members rather than by popular vote, or a council member elected by voters. The title is awarded to a councillor who has served on one or more local government bodies within the Republic of South Africa for a period of 20 years or more. The title is for life, and the recipient receives a lapel badge or medal with a neck ribbon at the ceremony. - Freedom of Entry into the City
This award is given to military units in recognition of outstanding service given to their country and city. Military units received the honour that are allowed to march through the streets of Cape Town on ceremonial days and other occasions ‘with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying’.