(Jack) Solly Smiedt was born in Kroonstad in the Orange Free State in 1918 and was the youngest of 5 children.
Both his brothers were in the Medical fraternity. Norman the eldest was an anaesthetist and Benny, a pharmacist.
The Smiedt family in Kroonstad were well known in the farming community and some of the extended Smiedt family operated the large local chemist.
To this day, there is a street in Morewag, Kroonstad called ‘Smiedt Street’ honouring the family contribution to the local community at the time.
Both brothers Norman and Solly were educated at SACS and graduated as Doctors from UCT.
Whilst Norman was already practicing as a doctor when Solly was at university, Norman contributed towards Solly’s studies, but Solly insisted in supplementing his studies by selling radios door to door.
After the War, where Solly held the rank of Captain, presumably in 1946, Solly began practicing on his own in a small room in Main Rd Goodwood, later known as Voortrekker Rd.
In 1946 Solly and Bertha were married and in 1947 welcomed their first born Alan. Jonathan was born 5 years later.
As the practice had grown, Solly decided to purchase the family home in Goodwood and bought a double storeyed house as well as the adjoining property. The adjoining property became the Goodwood Surgery which was fully equipped with a Reception, Doctors’ consulting rooms, an X-RAY Room and a Dispensary. Solly was joined by partners and associates in the practice.
In early 1960, Solly became active in the local community in Goodwood and became a Councillor. Soon thereafter he assumed the position of Mayor of Goodwood for an extended period in the mid 60’s.
During this time Solly opened and laid the Foundation Stones at the Goodwood Community Centre in Milton Road and the Goodwood Swimming Bath Complex also in Goodwood. Both of these facilities still stand in Goodwood.
In later years Solly demolished the family home corner on Surrey and Voortrekker Roads and built the Goodwood Medical Centre where doctors and specialists practiced together with Solly, his partners and associates. The family moved to Goodwood West where Solly had built a new home.
During his tenure as Mayor, Solly encouraged the redevelopment of Goodwood Main Road and a street named ‘Solly Smiedt Street’ became the main arterial road into the N1 City Shopping Complex in Goodwood, in his honour.
A few years after moving the entire practice to Libertas Centre in Goodwood, Solly finally sold the practice and retired at the age of 85 after more than 55 years in practice.
Solly passed away in 2010 at the age of 92 ,4 years after the loss of his wife Bertha.
Submitted by Solly’s son, Jonathan Smiedt. August,2026