‘He was a living archive of Soweto’s history’: Gayton McKenzie on the passing of veteran actor Sol Rachilo
Rachilo died on Sunday at the age of 97.
Veteran actor Sol “Solrah” Rachilo passed away on 16 August 2026 at the age of 97, according to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. Gayton McKenzie, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, paid tribute to Rachilo, describing him as a "living archive" of Soweto's history. McKenzie expressed deep condolences to Rachilo's family, friends, and colleagues, emphasizing that he was more than just an actor and poet; he was a mentor to many young artists and a steadfast voice for the 1976 generation.
He continued, stating that Rachilo's legacy would live on through his artistic contributions and the institutions he established to nurture future generations of artists. McKenzie thanked Rachilo for his lifetime of service to South African heritage and arts, saying, "Hamba kahle, Ntate."
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