SA bids farewell to Soli Philander

By Marcus Moloko

South Africa has laid to rest one of its most beloved entertainers and activists, Soli Philander, who passed away on 4 March 2026 at the age of 65 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Philander’s funeral service was held on Saturday morning at the New Apostolic Church Silvertown Congregation in Athlone, Cape Town.

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The service was attended by family, friends, and colleagues from across the entertainment industry, while thousands of fans followed the proceedings via live-stream broadcasts.

Tributes poured in from across the country, with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture describing Philander as a “cultural gem” and a pioneer for entertainers from the Cape Flats.