Barak and Michelle Obama.
"To us this is nothing other than a diversion and I think it would be a pity if Obama accepted the award from a city that doesn't care about the poorest of the poor," ANC Western Cape secretary Songezo Mjongile told the the Cape Times reported on Tuesday.
Mayor Patricia de Lille reportedly made the decision to honour the Obamas in recognition of their inspirational example.
Her proposal was adopted by council last May with 128 councillors voting in favour, four against, and 58 abstaining.
The Obamas have accepted the honour.
According to the newspaper, the couple would pay official state visits to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania from June 26 to July 3 to strengthen "economic growth, investment, and trade".
De Lille was quoted as saying that no arrangements had yet been made to present the award to the Obamas. – Sapa