Obamas to be awarded freedom of Cape Town - Patricia de Lille

STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF CAPE TOWN, ALDERMAN PATRICIA DE LILLE: MAYOR DE LILLE PROPOSES FREEDOM OF THE CITY AWARD TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

(Note to Editors: The following statement distributed at a media conference hosted by Mayor De Lille to announce her proposal to the City's Rules Committee to recommend to Council to award the Freedom of the City to the President of United States of America Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama)

Good morning, goeiedag, molweni,

The qualities of leadership, excellence and inclusion are amongst those that the people of Cape Town aspire to. Our city, built as it is on a rich history of traditions and heritage has been subject to divisions in the past.

We have learnt how to work towards overcoming our divisions. We have sought lessons from our past that have taught us, upon introspection, that there is as much that binds us together as there is that which has drawn us apart.

We have sought inspiration from those heroic men and women who have worked tirelessly and sacrificed much to give us freedom and dignity. We have drawn on our own hopes for a city that is a caring home for all of its children.

As South Africans, we map, as does the rest of the country, a course from our past into a better future for all of us. Like many travellers, we need markers with which to chart our journey.

For this city, as for the entire world, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are the guiding stars to our eventual destination. In a cynical age, there is a desperate need for universal hope. Hope that acts as a reminder that, no matter what the odds, even the supposedly unattainable is within our grasp.

Symbols that retain their meaning in these times, and ones that embody the qualities to which we aspire, are worthy of the highest recognition.

In recognition of their inspirational example and proof that every obstacle can be overcome, I have proposed that the Rules Committee recommends to Council that the City of Cape Town awards the Freedom of the City to the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama and the First Lady of the United States of America, Michele Obama.

Our living Freemen of the City include former President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Dr. Richard van der Ross. President Obama was elected the 44^th President of the United States of America on the 4^th of November 2008 and received the Nobel Peace Prize on the 9^th of October 2009, for creating a new climate of cooperation in international politics.

First Lady Obama travelled to Cape Town last year as part of a broader outreach to Africa and brought with her the uplifting example of achieving the impossible.

Noting the inspiration they have been to us and the world, and in acknowledgement that their extraordinary successes have only been possible with the support of each other, I have proposed to the Rules Committee, in accordance with all processes, that it recommend that the next meeting of Council honours Barack and Michelle Obama with our highest award.

It is my hope that their example will forever be a reminder that where there is hope and perseverance and where we are fuelled by the courage of our convictions, that even the unimaginable is doable.

And let that formula forever be part of Cape Town's identity as we build a better city for all of our people.

Statement issued by Solly Malatsi, Spokesperson for the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille, May 14 2012

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SHOCKING ACCOLADE FOR THE OBAMAS It's shocking to hear that de Lille believes the Obamas are worthy of any accolades. Obama has a dismal Human Rights record. He has ordered indiscriminate drone attacks on civilian areas in West Pakistan, which has resulted in the deaths of . .more hundreds of children. These drone attacks are highly illegal according to international law. You simply cannot carry out any bombing raids against a country which you are not at war with. He has also worked with Dictators such as Abdulla Ali Saleh of Yemen whom he personally requested to imprison a journalist that covered stories on human rights abuses. As a direct result of Obama's request, that journalist has suffered unspeakable acts of torture. Does the DA really want to associate with War Criminals whom history will condemn in the years to come when information becomes de-classified and everything is exposed ? How disgusting !!! . .less by Ebrahim Moosa on May 14 2012, 17:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Lets see Obama's Hawaiian birth certificiate first not the photoshopped one by Brett on May 14 2012, 18:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

. This lady needs to hear some intelligent and in-the-know people talk about Obama. Noam Chomsky is a good start. Youtube him. He's no entertainer, but he knows his stuff. And he had a lot of very bad things to say about Obama. by Daniel Berti on May 14 2012, 19:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The kenian in the White House The Kenian forged his birth certificate, can't prove his Marine Seals really eliminated bin Laden, ruins with Keynesian inflationary quantitative easing, health care etc. politics the American and world's economies, set the Arab world ablaze with his 4th . .more of june 2009 Cairo Speech, 'composed' girl friends, was indoctrinated by the Critical Race Theory of late 'professor' Derrick Bell, by the social networker the late anarchist Saul Alinsky, the weathermen like Bill Ayers and his wife, the Cloward Fox-Piven strategy, probably by Tom Hayden (Jane Fonda) the Port Huron statement. The Kenian is judicially harassing sheriff Joe Arpaio (Birther), The kenian asked Medvedev (Russia) to give him some ease so that he could betray the safety of the Free World once Moscow 're-elected' him as president. And the story goes on and on ... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/part-two-the-fiction-and-non-fiction-of-obama/ . .less by Theo Prinse on May 14 2012, 21:19 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Obama and the Freedom of Cape Town To have the freedom of a city is quite a major feat, if one understands the history of the acolade. The first four comments above are negative, and I'm sure these people have their issues with Obama, and should take it out on him, but on another, more . .more appropriate forum. I'm glad as a Capetonian that this honour would be going to the Obamas, it is exhilirating that they actually accepted it. That means that soon, they would be honourary citizens of Cape Town. My issue is that, whilst we are giving this award to the Obamas, what about the numerous South Africans, who feel like visitors in this City? What about Helen Zille's "refugees" from the Eastern Cape? When will they receive the freedom of Cape Town, if not on paper, but in spirit? Cape Town is the racism capital of South Africa - black on white, white on black, Coloured on African, African on Coloured, Coloured on Coloured even. But especially Africans from other parts of South Africa are made not to feel welcome here. Maybe, Ms Mayor, we should be embarking on a campaign to teach Capetonians that racism isn't cool, and that we should all try to get along, despite colour, race, class, etc. I'm sure that if Obama knows the real state of affairs in Cape Town, he would decline to be a part of this social ilness. . .less by Moeamat Shareef Blankenberg on May 15 2012, 07:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Cape Town and the Obamas Words fail me! In other words, I'm gob smacked! Really Ms de Lille, I thought you had more common sense and discernment than this. by Longfellow on May 15 2012, 07:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Obama Obama will be dancing out of the white house on the 6th of November. Mitt Romney will get America back on track. De lile and her Obamabots can than have a tea party in Cape Town. by Republican on May 15 2012, 09:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

STUPID WOMAN What hell is going on with this corrupt so-called corruption buster? There are so many issues that she should attend to in Cape Town. Provide proper services to Bonteheuwel, Mannenberg, Langa, Atlantis, Uitsig etc. Why do you want to waste taxpayers' . .more money to entertain the US president? This is now really fruitless and wastefull expenditure at its best. So by the way Patricia, when are you going to fullfil your promince to sue igel Delo the former CFO Swellendam/? You remember last year when he accused you of corruption. You still have to have your day in court Madam Mayor. This thing is not going away, I promise you! Please provide SCOPA with your telephone records for 2008 and subject yourself to a lie detector test if you deny the alleagations against you.And please stop wasting our money for unnecessary gala dinners and parties! . .less by terence on May 15 2012, 14:02 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

puppet de lille This is an order from Helen, amazing how De Lille has become such a DA lackey......and to think where you come from. Power really changes people. by Tim on May 15 2012, 19:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

puppet de lille She is still working in the miesies kitchen. There is absolutely nothing between her ears. Do what the madam says. She even got her hair done like Madam Zille! Is this what the PAC produced? Cheepskate! by terence on May 15 2012, 22:27 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

On and on..... Are you still on about the refugee story ? Stop being a Professional Taliban. by Zakhele. on May 16 2012, 13:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

dog eater - don't understand why would someone give freedom of city to a dog eater and man hunter or are they wearing the same uniform? by Moe joe on May 22 2012, 12:47 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

not worth freeodom of my toilet What empty promises did that liar give you mrs de lille That makes you want to bestow him with freedom of cape town his not worth freedom of my toilet you talking of the mother city Open your eyes and look at the broader picture by joey on May 22 2012, 13:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

coward Hi mrs De lille I was listening to an interview of yours on a radio channel regarding the freedom of cape town bieng given to mr obama. i was very shocked at your unprofessional response and your character on the whole. I guess your true colours were . .more exposed and your improper manner of speech on a public radio station just proved your cowardice. . .less by mhd on May 22 2012, 13:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

can't face the truth Mrs de lille interview with mr gangat on cii radio station downloaded at the following web address: http://www.ciibroadcasting.com/2012/05/22/a-proposal-to-grant-the-obamas-freedom-of-the-city-of-cape-town/ by joke on May 22 2012, 13:49 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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