Solly Singh reflects on a lifetime dedicated to fighting injustice and community service

RESPECTED Phoenix community activist Solly Singh celebrates his 70th birthday this Saturday. From humble beginnings in Clairwood to becoming a prominent trade unionist, environmentalist, and municipal councillor, Singh reflects on a lifetime dedicated to fighting injustice and serving his community.

Singh marked his milestone birthday on September 12.

From his modest beginnings in Clairwood to becoming a prominent trade unionist, environmentalist, and municipal councillor, Singh’s journey is one of inspiration, perseverance, and unwavering dedication.

Born in 1955 into a humble family of six sisters and two brothers, Singh's early years were marked by hardship.

At just ten years old, Singh encountered the late Minority Front leader, Amichand Rajbansi, who played a pivotal role in helping his (Singh's) family avoid eviction from their home at the railway station.

This formative experience ignited a passion for justice that would shape Singh's future; little did he know that he would one day serve as a councillor under Rajbansi's leadership.

Being the only family member to complete matric, Singh eventually delved into the shipping industry, where he made a name for himself over a successful 25-year career.

It was during this time that Singh began to confront the racial injustices faced by workers.

“I picked a discrepancy in the pension fund. Eventually, we won the case and had received R20 million from the combined funds shared among all workers, including retirees,” he said.

This victory was a significant moment that solidified his role as the president of the South African Dock Workers Union.

In 1979, Singh married Nalini Mohan and relocated to Woodview in Phoenix, where his community engagement flourished.

An avid environmentalist, Singh initiated numerous Arbour Day projects with local schools and youth organisations and made his mark as a member of the Woodview Ratepayers Association since 1985.

Alongside these commitments, Singh also discovered a love for athletics, setting a personal goal to run the prestigious Comrades Marathon shortly after the birth of his first child. Despite a radical lack of preparation, he impressively completed eight marathons over the years, each time embodying the spirit of resilience that defines his character.

His foray into politics grew through his friendship with Patrick Pillay, who at the time was a Minority Front councillor.

After five years of volunteering, Singh was elected as the Ward 50 Minority Front Councillor, a role he cherished for a decade.

He also had brief stint with the Democratic Party, but when the party allied with the National Party, Singh’s ethical convictions led him to resign due to the party’s apartheid associations.

“I had very strong principles of being fair,” he reflected.

Singh recalled a memorable incident during his time as a councillor, where he was approached by constituents seeking assistance.

“A man came up to me and asked me to pray for him,” he recounted.

On another occasion, he delivered a baby in his car after a political function.

A pinnacle of his community involvement was receiving the Bridge Builder Award from the late Bishop Desmond Tutu in 1996.

Tutu’s words of wisdom, advising that the right choice was always the path to take, profoundly influenced Singh's life.

"I loved my time as a councillor, especially working with people. I have a passion for helping people,” Singh shared.

As Singh prepares for the next chapter, he fondly reflects on his impactful life, emphasising that his dedication to justice and community service will remain unwavering.

With a spirit that shows no signs of slowing down, Singh stands as a true testament to the power of resilience and compassion.

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