Two men who were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela will receive the Freedom of the City of London on Wednesday 27 January, in recognition of their fight for freedom and racial equality.

Ahmed ‘Kathy’ Kathrada and Denis Goldberg will receive the Freedom of the City of London - alongside Lord Joel Joffe and George Bizos from their defence team – at a ceremony in Guildhall’s prestigious Livery Hall, conducted by Dr Peter Kane, Chamberlain of London.

Jeffrey Mountevans, Lord Mayor of the City of London, said:

“The Freedom of the City of London is a tribute to the noble and fearless fortitude shown by these four men and I will be humbled to meet them at Guildhall. Twenty years ago, the late Nelson Mandela accepted the Honorary Freedom of the City of London – the highest accolade that we can bestow – and we are so pleased to honour his fellow fighters, essentially, world leaders for equality and humanity, to recognise their battle against the evils of apartheid.”

Prior to their ceremony, the four men will take part in a question-and-answer session, attended by over 200 guests, and chaired by Lord Peter Hain, the anti-apartheid campaigner and former Labour MP for Neath.

Notes for Editors:

NB: Andrew Mlangeni, who was expected to join Ahmed ‘Kathy’ Kathrada and Denis Goldberg, is unable to travel to London to receive the Freedom of the City of London, due to ill health. 

Andrew Buckingham, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

Email andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk / telephone 020 7332 1452 / mobile 07795 333060

About the Freedom of the City of London:

The Freedom of the City of London is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade; and today, people are nominated for, or apply for, the Freedom, because it offers them a link with the historic City of London and one of its ancient traditions. The Freedom is also offered to individuals by the City of London Corporation to help celebrate a significant achievement, or to pay tribute to their outstanding contribution to London life or public life. However, many of the so-called traditional privileges associated with the Freedom, such as driving sheep over London Bridge, no longer exist.

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation. It supports and promotes the City as a world leader in international finance and business services and provides local services and policing for those working in, living in, and visiting the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the nation. These include the Barbican Centre, Barbican Music Library, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Guildhall Library, Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre, London Metropolitan Archives, a range of education provision (including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including Tower Bridge and Millennium Bridge), Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey, over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food markets. The City of London Corporation is London’s Port Health Authority and also runs the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. For more details, visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk