The ceremony, which took place at the Chamberlain's Court at Guildhall in London, began with an oath of allegiance and ended by Mokoena being greeted as a 'Citizen of London' and the presentation of a framed certificate.
The Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe to esteemed members of its community or to organisations that have given the community heroic service. The term applies to two separate honours - one civilian and one military.
Mokoena, who is also captain of the English team, Portsmouth, had been nominated for the honour for his services to football and charitable activity which he conducts under his Aaron Mokoena Foundation both in South Africa and England.
Mokena put a smile on the face of Bafana's head coach, Pitso Mosimane.
"I am proud of his achievement, he has been a great servant of the national team and a wonderful ambassador for South African football abroad. In my view no one is more deserving of the honour. Mokoena has played more than 100 times for Bafana Bafana which shows the man's qualities on and off the field.
"This honour does not come as a surprise to me, he is a special player and a special person. We just hope this will serve as an inspiration to many players out there that whatever you set your mind to, you can make it," Mosimane said.
Source -allAfrica.com
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