south african arts icon soli philander to be laid to rest

the south african arts community is mourning the loss of veteran tv and theatre personality soli philander, who passed away at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. philander, who was known for his unique ability to reflect the heart and soul of south african communities through his storytelling, will be laid to rest on saturday, 14 march at the new apostolic church in cape town. the funeral service will also be live-streamed to the public, allowing fans and admirers to pay their respects to the beloved artist. a private cremation will follow the funeral. philander is survived by his four children, including two sons and two daughters, as well as a foster daughter with his ex-wife toni. tributes have been pouring in for the talented artist, with minister of arts, sports and culture gayton mckenzie praising philander’s unique talent and his ability to bring the stories of ordinary south africans into the national conversation. cape town theatre company artscape also paid tribute to philander, describing him as a talented and vibrant icon in the arts industry. comedian marc lottering and singer craig lucas, who both worked with philander, have also shared their condolences and praised his mentorship and inspiration. philander’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations of artists and audiences, and his memory will live on through the stories he told and the laughter he shared.