The award is a replica in bronze of one of 7 ceramic heads dating from the ninth century.

Past recipients

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

In December 2011, the honour was conferred on Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, only the second recipient of the award. Described by former President Nelson Mandela as "sometimes strident, often tender, never afraid and seldom without humour", Tutu has been a spokesperson against international social ills, such as civil wars, corruption, non-democratic governments, poverty, HIV/AIDS and TB, and human-rights abuses. The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate has numerous associations with UCT, including an honorary doctorate in law presented to him in 1993.

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Thabo Mbeki

In 2004, the award was conferred on former president Thabo Mbeki for the lifelong pioneering role he  played in the struggle against apartheid and his inspiring example of disciplined study and hard work under challenging circumstances. He is acknowledged for his far-sighted vision of an African Renaissance, and for seeing that South Africa's stability is inextricably linked to that of the African continent as a whole. His vision of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) and its strategy to create a mutually beneficial basis for economic interaction between Africa and the developed nations was far-sighted and a service to Africa and all its citizens.