Cape Town's first black female mayor remembered

TRIBUTES have poured in for the Western Cape's first mayor of colour - a diplomat and founder member of the Mitchell’s Plain Development Action Collective (MPDAC) and former ambassador to Canada and Tanzania - Theresa Solomon, who died at the age of 79.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

Solomon passed away on Monday, surrounded by her family.

Fondly known as “Com T” or “T”, born in 1945, Solomon dedicated her life to the struggle for justice and equality.

She was the deputy mayor of Cape Town between 1995 and 1996 and the mayor from 1996 to 1998.

“The Solomon family moved to Woodlands in 1979 where she was involved in numerous campaigns such as the bus boycott, advocating for a school in Tafelsig and opposing rent increases,” MPDAC said.

“She was instrumental in community activism with the establishment of the Leadwood Créche and the Woodlands People's Centre.