Vrymanne, ereburgerskap en die vryheid van toegang tot dorpe en stede

Abstract

The contemporary custom in South Africa of conferring the honorary citizenship of a municipality on an individual originated in England and not, as at times argued, with the Romans. During the Middle Ages the so-called freemen were the only persons in England who enjoyed the full privileges of local management areas (boroughs). The word "freeman" did, however, as a result of legislation passed in the 19th century, lose its original meaning and much of its prestige value. Consequently a new title was created in 1885 to give to prominent people, namely "honorary freeman" (in Afrikaans known as "ereburgerskap"). In South Africa honorary freeman is an honour which has been granted since the second half of the 20th century by the council of a municipality to persons who in their opinion are worthy of it. There are no financial benefits attached to it for the recipient. In the Cape and Natal honorary citizenships are granted by ordinances in which honorary citizenship is specifically described. There are no ordinances of this kind in the Free State and Transvaal; there it is done in accordance with the authority vested in municipal councils. The tradition of granting freedom of entry into towns and cities to military units originated in London, England. It is a symbolic gesture by the civilian population to indicate their faith in a specific military unit.