President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast in Gauteng on the day of the funeral of veteran actor, playwright and poet Solomon “Sol” “Solrah” Rachilo.
The directive, contained in a letter dated 19 August 2026 and signed by Director-General and Secretary of Cabinet Phindile Baleni, was addressed to Gauteng Director-General Edward Mosuwe.
The decision comes after veteran actor Sello Maake kaNcube called for Rachilo to be accorded a Special Provincial Official Funeral and buried at the Heroes Acre.
Maake kaNcube made the appeal following Rachilo’s death on Saturday, August 15, at about 11am.
In his letter to the Gauteng provincial government, Maake kaNcube described Rachilo as more than an actor, playwright and poet, saying he was a social worker, teacher, institution-builder and community activist whose service to South Africa spanned more than six decades.
“Bra Sol was not merely an actor, playwright or poet. He was an architect of South Africa’s cultural life, a social worker, teacher, institution-builder and community activist whose service extended across more than six decades,” Maake kaNcube wrote.
Rachilo entered the theatre world in 1958 after completing his social-work studies at the Jan H Hofmeyr School of Social Work. His theatre career began with Athol Fugard’s No-Good Friday, after which he became involved with Union Artists and the Dorkay House theatre movement.
His body of work spanned theatre, poetry, film, television and musical drama, including Sponono, Boesman and Lena, Maishe Maponya’s Gangsters, Three in Number, The Township Housewife and Grounded in Mshenguville.
He also appeared in films including Joe Bullet, Game for Vultures, Stoney: The One and Only and Charlie Steel.
His poetry, including work published in Staffrider and his collection Nostalgic Waves from Soweto: Poetic Memories of the June 16th Uprising, documented the experiences of Soweto during a significant period in South Africa’s history.
However, Maake kaNcube said Rachilo’s most significant contribution was the opportunities he created for young people and fellow artists.
In 1977, following the Soweto uprising, Rachilo established the Children of Soweto Action Centre, also known as the COSAC Drama Academy.
The initiative used drama, music, photography and visual arts to support young people and restore their confidence and sense of belonging during the aftermath of the uprising.
Maake kaNcube said Rachilo’s mentorship and institution-building helped create opportunities for generations of South African performers and cultural practitioners.
Among those whose careers were influenced by his work, he listed Abigail Kubeka, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Marah Louw, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Duma kaNdlovu and Vusi Kunene.
“I count myself among the artists whose journey was touched by the cultural foundations Bra Sol helped to establish,” he wrote.
Maake kaNcube argued that Rachilo’s life met the criteria for a Special Provincial Official Funeral because of his contribution to Gauteng and the country’s cultural landscape.
He called on Acting Gauteng Premier Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to urgently submit a motivation to Ramaphosa for the designation of the funeral.
He also asked Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie to support the application and assist in documenting Rachilo’s national contribution.
Maake kaNcube further called on Gauteng MEC for Education, Arts, Sports and Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile to engage the Rachilo family and coordinate the provincial arts and culture sector’s participation.
He also requested the appointment of a government liaison team to work with the family on funeral arrangements and protocol.
The letter further asked the provincial government to consider lowering the provincial flag and organising a provincial memorial or tribute programme, subject to policy and the wishes of the family.
The request came with an appeal for all arrangements to be made in consultation with and with the consent of the Rachilo family.
In her letter confirming the half-masting directive, Baleni said the national flag must first be hoisted to the top of the flagstaff before being lowered by one-third of the length of the flagstaff.
She said the flag must also be hoisted back to the top before being lowered at sunset or at the appointed time.
The directive states that no other flags, including those of the SAPS, SANDF or corporate organisations, should be displayed when the national flag is flown at half-mast.
Speaking to Africa Daily, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed that the flag will be flown at half-mast in honour of the fallen hero, who died after his shack caught fire in Jabulani, Soweto about a week ago.
“ We responded to the sector request,” he said.
