Celebrating Cape Town's soul: David Kramer and Taliep Petersen awarded city's highest honour

Last night the City of Cape Town celebrated two men who had given voice to the city's soul.

Awarding the Freedom of the City to David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen reflects a deliberate recognition of cultural contribution as civic value.

At a council sitting held at Cape Town City Hall on 20 January, the executive mayor, councillors, and members of the public gathered as the City’s highest honour was conferred on the two figures whose work is said to have profoundly shaped Cape Town’s musical memory and cultural identity.

The Freedom of the City is the highest honour the council may bestow.

Addressing council, executive mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the citations read at the ceremony outlined why council had unanimously resolved to honour Kramer and Petersen: their work ensured that Cape Town’s stories, especially those that are rooted in working-class and displaced communities, would be carried forward by future generations.

Reading from the citation for Petersen, Hill-Lewis described him as "a proud product of District Six who rose to become a towering figure in South African musical theatre and an important voice in the telling of Cape Town’s musical stories."

The citation noted that Petersen’s work embodied the resilience and creativity associated with some of the city’s most vibrant communities and proved that "local stories rooted in lived experience could reach far beyond Cape Town, speaking powerfully to universal themes of power and belonging."

The citation further highlighted Petersen’s deep knowledge of musical traditions, ranging from Cape Malay choirs to jazz and popular music, describing him as both a "ground breaking innovator and a guardian of musical heritage." Much of his most memorable work was produced in collaboration with his long-time musical partner and friend, David Kramer.

Their landmark production, District Six: The Musical, drew heavily on Petersen’s personal memories of forced removals and loss, transforming lived experience into enduring public memory.

Although Petersen’s life was tragically cut short in 2006, the citation concluded that his legacy continues to inspire new generations of Cape Town artists, describing him as "one of the city’s most important and beloved musical treasures."

Responding to the citation, Petersen’s daughter Jawaahier Petersen spoke of her father’s enduring presence. "Daddy, it's been almost twenty years since you left us and somehow your presence has never faded,” she said.

She described how his legacy lives on beyond their family, in the culture of the city and in the people shaped by his music and stories. “Thanks to you and Uncle David’s work, the coloured narrative stretched beyond missing teeth, gangsterism, and missed opportunity, a cultural experience too often marginalised, too often misunderstood, and yet rich with strength, complexity, and creativity."

The citation for David Kramer described him as one of Cape Town’s most influential cultural ambassadors, with a musical career spanning more than five decades.

Hill-Lewis noted that Kramer’s storytelling voice fundamentally shaped South African musical theatre through his blending of Cape-inflected Afrikaans with South African English, using humour and honesty to tell the stories of ordinary people.

Kramer’s collaborative work with Petersen was central to council’s decision. Productions such as Kat and the Kings and Ghoema dealt with themes of forced removals, identity, belonging, and community resilience, proving that local stories could hold global relevance. His song 'Welcome to Cape Town' was acknowledged as a much-loved anthem reflecting the city’s welcoming spirit.

Addressing council from the floor of City Hall, Kramer said he was honoured to receive the award alongside his "brother". Becoming emotional, he described Petersen as "the melody to my lyrics and the heartbeat of our shared stories". He expressed his gratitude to the city for honouring both their legacies and reaffirmed his commitment to continue serving "the spirit of diversity and hope" of the city he loves so dearly.

Closing the proceedings, Hill-Lewis said the honour ensures that future generations "will not only know what happened here, but know how it felt," hearing the accents, rhythms, and spirit of Cape Town, a city made richer and more whole through the work of Kramer and Petersen.

lilita.gcwabe@inl.co.za