South Africa is mourning the loss of acclaimed actor and storyteller Soli Philander, who has died at the age of 65 following a battle with cancer.

According to family friend Noel Oostendorp, Philander passed away peacefully on Wednesday, 4 March, surrounded by loved ones.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Silamour ‘Soli’ Philander after a battle with cancer. They were surrounded by family and passed peacefully at the age of 65,” Oostendorp said in a statement on Facebook.

The family has requested privacy as they prepare to celebrate the life of the respected entertainer.

Philander was widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most beloved cultural voices, known for using humour and storytelling to reflect the experiences of communities in the Western Cape.

Cape Town performing arts institution Artscape Theatre Centre described Philander as a comedian, storyteller, actor and cultural icon whose work brought joy to countless audiences.

Artscape said his humour and storytelling had a unique ability to capture “the heart and soul of our communities”, adding that his contribution to the performing arts leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, also paid tribute to Philander, describing him as one of the country’s most beloved entertainers.

McKenzie said Philander spent decades bringing laughter, warmth and insight to audiences across South Africa through stage performances, television presenting and public speaking.

Many South Africans came to know Philander through television programmes such as Liriekeraai and the South African edition of Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, where his wit and charm made him a household name.

Philander also built a respected career as a stage performer and actor, appearing in productions including the TV drama Arendsvlei and films such as The Umbrella Men: Escape from Robben Island.

McKenzie said Philander’s work drew deeply from the communities of the Cape Flats, bringing the stories of ordinary South Africans into the national conversation.

“Artists like Soli play an essential role in our democracy. They help us reflect on our society, find common ground, and remind us of our shared humanity,” the minister said.

Philander was married to Toni Philander for 30 years (from 1985 till their divorce in 2015).

He leaves behind sons Caleb and Ethan, daughters Danya and Kyla, and a foster daughter, Lauren, whom he and Toni had helped during her final year of school.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says they have seen a significant increase in registrations by South Africans on its Travel Smart system, with over 6,400 South African citizens in the Middle East registering their presence as of 4 March 2026.

South African citizens currently in the region for non-essential travel who wish to evacuate cities and countries affected by the ongoing interstate conflict in the Middle East are strongly advised to use the official channels listed below.

The Department says this proactive measure is essential to prepare for an exit from the danger zone as soon as it is safe to secure passage.

As some airlines have resumed limited commercial flights out of the region, citizens have also been encouraged to take immediate advantage of this opportunity to leave.

The department says heavy attacks in the region are regrettably expected to continue in the coming days.

South Africans are furthermore strongly discouraged from all non-essential travel to the Middle East at this time.

For those experiencing difficulties with the evacuation process or require urgent consular support, contact a department official immediately through the channels below:

• South African Emergency Line (DIRCO): +27 12 351 1000 (Request Consular Services)
• South African Embassy (Amman, Jordan): +962 6-461-5167
• Jordan Border Inquiry: +962 5 393 3031
• Email for Coordination: ngwanyaa@dirco.gov.za or segevl@dirco.gov.za

Emergency Consular Support:

• Litha Ngwanya: +972 50-520-8100 | Email: ngwanyaa@dirco.gov.za
• Lizelle Segev: +972 54-588-0698 | Email: segevl@dirco.gov.za

DIRCO has urged all parties to the conflict to exercise maximum restraint and to act in a manner consistent with international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Cyclists and spectators heading to the Cape Town Cycle Tour on Sunday, 8 March 2026, can avoid road closures and traffic jams by taking advantage of extra trains running on race day.

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says cyclists can travel for just R50 return, while spectators pay R20 return, with fares covering the full round trip.

“Trains will give passengers easy access to the race start and prime viewing points along the Southern Line, offering a stress-free, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative to driving,” PRASA stressed.

Park & Ride Options

Stations offering parking on race day include:

• Observatory, Rosebank, Rondebosch, Kenilworth: Public parking opposite the stations

• Lakeside (False Bay) & Glencairn: PRASA secure parking

• Fish Hoek: Public parking opposite the station and at the beach

• Tygerberg and Vasco stations: PRASA parking.

Passengers are advised to arrive early to secure parking and allow sufficient travel time.

PRASA says measures has been implemented to ensure the safety of its passengers.

“Protection Services, in coordination with law enforcement, will maintain a strong security presence at stations and parking areas along the Southern Line throughout race day.”

Full train schedules and service details will be available on PRASA Western Cape’s official social media channels ahead of the event.

Also read: Around 30 000 cyclists to take part in the Cape Town Cycle Tour

The Western Cape Government has launched a new mobile application aimed at making it easier for residents to report road-related defects.

Provincial MEC of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers announced the official rollout of the Roads4U app on 4 March 2026. The app is available for download on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.

The Roads4U platform allows members of the public to report infrastructure issues such as potholes, damaged road surfaces, faulty traffic signals and faded road signage. The app automatically pins the exact GPS location of the reported defect to ensure accuracy.

Simmers says one of the app’s key features is its ability to identify which authority is responsible for a particular road.

If a defect is logged on a road managed by the City of Cape Town or the South African National Roads Agency, the report is automatically forwarded to the correct authority.

Users can upload photos, add descriptions and receive a unique reference number to track the progress of their report. The department says technical teams will provide updates through the app, promoting transparency and accountability.

Simmers said the tool would simplify internal processes and strengthen collaboration between government and residents.

“For years, our engineers have used multiple internal systems to coordinate road work. Roads4U streamlines these processes and reduces unnecessary delays, while ensuring residents are directed to the correct authority,” he said.

The department added that safety-related issues will be prioritised. Where defects cannot be addressed immediately, officials have committed to providing clear explanations to those who reported them.

Future updates to the app will include real-time notifications about road closures and other important traffic-related information.

The Western Cape Government is encouraging all road users to download the Roads4U app to help improve service delivery and maintain the province’s road network.

Download the Roads4U app here:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=za.gov.westerncape.roadsforyou

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/roads4u/id6752285666

A senior municipal official in Cape Town has been praised for rejecting a multimillion-rand bribe, triggering an undercover operation that led to the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of R1.4 million in cash.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) says an undercover operation was executed at Watercress Mall in Somerset West yesterday, with City Manager Lungelo Mbandazayo acting as an authorised agent.

Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa says during the operation, members seized R1.4 million in cash, a vehicle and a cellphone.

“A 51-year-old suspect was arrested and is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court tomorrow on corruption charges.”

Mayor Geordin Hill Lewis says the City has pledged itself to clean governance, describing Mbandazayo’s actions as brave and courageous.

“This is another demonstration of the extraordinary leadership that characterises our City’s daily pursuit of good governance and zero tolerance approach to those seeking illicit benefit from this government. This operation is a powerful message that Cape Town does not tolerate corruption and that we will go through any length to root it out.”

The probe began in March 2025 after a whistleblower reported suspected collusion between municipal employees and service providers. The City’s Ethics and Forensic Services team partnered with SAPS Commercial Crime Investigation unit to conduct an extensive investigation.

In February 2026, the owner of a company contracted to perform maintenance on municipal infrastructure allegedly approached Mbandazayo, requesting that internal investigations be halted in exchange for a multimillion-rand gratification.

Potelwa confirmed that more arrests are expected as investigations continue.