Tributes pour in for former Cape Town mayor Theresa Solomon

FORMER Cape Town mayor Theresa Mary Solomon, who died on Monday, has been remembered as a dedicated activist, compassionate leader and pioneering figure in the city’s history.

- WENDY DONDOLO

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis described Solomon as a figure whose contributions left a lasting mark, particularly on the Cape Flats where she championed basic rights and services during a time of hardship.

“Former Mayor Theresa Solomon will be remembered for her dedication to justice and activism, which brought about meaningful change, especially on the Cape Flats, where she played a pivotal role in establishing civic organisations to campaign for amenities in the wake of forced removals in the 1970s, including schools, hospitals, and police stations,” said Hill-Lewis.

Born in 1945 in the historic District Six, Solomon experienced the trauma of apartheid-era displacement firsthand, an experience that fuelled her lifelong commitment to justice.