Honourable Mayor, Ms. Patricia De Lille, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

It is a privilege and honour to accept the Freedom of the City of Cape Town. It is flattering and gratifying to know that the decision was unanimously supported by all the parties. For this gesture, I must express my sincere thanks and appreciation.

Directly related to this, I recall how pleasantly surprised I was when the Honourable Mayor decided to come all the way to my flat in Cape Town to inform me of this honour.

I have known Madam Mayor since 1994, when we both served as Members of Parliament in the first democratically elected government led by our beloved Madiba. I stepped down as Member of Parliament, after expiry of my first term, in 1999.

With due respect to you Madam Mayor; in accepting this worthy gesture, I wish to dedicate it to several men and women – who would have been more worthy recipients of this honour. I have in mind: 
- Dulcie September, who was assassinated in Paris by apartheid agents;
- Ashley Kriel, killed by the police in July 1987;
- Anton Franch - on 17 November 1989, Anton was killed after his lone 7 hour gun-battle with a 30-member police squad;
- Vuyisile Mini - on 6 November 1964, Vuvisile Mini was hanged for refusing to give evidence against ANC Stalwart Wilton Mkwayi;
- Amy Biehl - on 26 August 1993, the 26-year-old American Fulbright scholar was stabbed to death in Gugulethu by a group of youth shouting, “Kill the settler”; and         
- The 600 unarmed Soweto school kids, who in 1976 were mowed down by the police.

The death of these martyrs reminds us of how protected we were in prison. No policemen could come to Robben Island and shoot or tear-gas us.
Madam Mayor, I have been a resident of Cape Town for a very long time. For 26 years I was an involuntary inmate of two jails that fall in your constituencies: Robben Island and Pollsmoor.

Thereafter, I lived here voluntarily for 5 years while serving in President Mandela’s office; and another 7 years as Chairperson of Robben Island Museum Council, during which time I was given a house on Robben Island. 

This reminds me, the late Ismail Meer, my elder brother, friend and mentor remarked:
“We struggled to get Kathy out of Robben Island. Now, whenever I phone for Kathy, I’m told, ‘He’s on Robben Island. We succeeded in getting him out of Robben Island, but we have failed to get Robben Island out of him.’”

Now, as a pensioner, I still continue to be an on and off casual citizen of Cape Town. I spend a fair part of my retirement time as an unpaid professional tour guide. Since my release, I have accompanied individuals and groups to Robben Island more than 300 times. And I continue to go there.
A couple of months ago, after returning from Robben Island with the Cuban 5, I was asked by a media person: “Are you excited?”

By a slip of the tongue, unthinkingly, I allowed myself to betray my life-long bonds with Cuba by saying, “No I took Beyoncé to Robben Island.” I hope Blade Nzimande doesn’t hear this!

Madam Mayor, I have recently taken two groups of Cape Town veterans from the Cape Flats to Robben Island. Among them was a lady who is 105 years old! What surprised me was; these veterans were born and raised on the Cape Flats and most of them had never even seen the Waterfront, let alone Robben Island. I can never forget their excitement and gratitude.

Madam Mayor, please forgive me for my arrogance by daring to make a suggestion to you. When you advertise “must see” spots in Cape Town for tourists, will you kindly consider including Robben Island?  Among its numerous messages, the one that stands out is: “Robben Island represents the triumph of the human spirit against the forces of evil.” Seldom in the world’s history, has there been a similar dramatic development; literally, within a short space of time; from prison to Parliament, to President.

Madam Mayor, in conclusion, I once again wish to thank you, and all your colleagues; and pay tribute to you for your kindness, broad-mindedness, humility and foresight.