Cape Town - Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Njongonkulu Ndungane will be honoured with the Freedom of the City of Cape Town for his life's work at a ceremony on Friday, the city's media office said.
"The Freedom of the City is the highest honour which a council can bestow on a person who has lived a life of distinction," the city announced.
"The city does this to recognise those who have inspired us through their life's work. Recipients of this prestigious conferment are those who have changed the course of history."
Ndungane was inspired by a Robert Sobukwe speech in 1960 about pass laws to become involved in pan-Africanism, the city explained.
He was subsequently arrested and it was while he was serving a three-year sentence on Robben Island that he decided to become a priest.
He was also banned for two years, restricting him to the magisterial districts of Cape Town and Wynberg.
He was ordained as a deacon at St George's Cathedral in the Cape Town CBD and his first posting was to Athlone.
"During a long and illustrious career Archbishop Ndungane has left an indelible mark on Cape Town and its people and is a worthy recipient of the Freedom of the City award as recognition of his service to our city," the statement said.
He has already been awarded the Order of the Baobab (silver). It is one of the highest national honours that can be bestowed by the president.
He has been the bishop of Kuruman and Kimberley and was previously the Archbishop of Cape Town.
He retired in 2007 but is still involved in certain projects.
