Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]
The Zimbabwean arts fraternity is in mourning after the untimely death of Sihlangu Dlodlo, a revered director, playwright, and arts advocate, whose lifeless body was discovered at his Nketa 9 home in Bulawayo on Monday evening.
From all corners of Zimbabwe, those who knew him have expressed heartbreak and disbelief at the loss of a cultural titan who shaped the lives and careers of countless artists. His impact, according to friends and colleagues, will be remembered for generations.
Pedzisayi Sithole, a close friend who worked with Dlodlo at Amakhosi Theatre since 1985, described him as a mentor, strategist, and visionary.
“I worked with Dlodlo since 1985 at Amakhosi, where I began as a karateka and he managed administrative roles,” said Sithole.
“He was a teacher, organiser, fundraiser, writer, and strategist. From the inception of plays like Stitsha, Dabulap, and Citizen Mind, his fingerprints were all over these productions.”
Sithole also recalled Dlodlo’s unique personality – a mix of humour and unwavering dedication to education in the arts.
“He was always joking but turned serious when it came to work. He would go all the way to support another person,” he said, adding that Dlodlo’s supportive nature made him a godfather figure to his family.
“It’s so sad to lose such a soul. Our last conversation was last Friday about a Facebook post of his, and, as guys from Makokoba, we became family, not just colleagues.”
Renowned theatre practitioner Memory Kumbota, who worked under Dlodlo’s direction on a revival of the classic Stitsha, said Dlodlo was a constant source of inspiration and learning.
“Every interaction with him was a learning experience. He was one of the few formally trained in theatre arts, having studied at Hillside Teachers College,” Kumbota said.
“He was a treasure trove of knowledge, always laughing and with a great sense of humour.”
Published author and playwright Chris Mlalazi remembered Dlodlo as a good-natured and approachable figure, quick with a joke and always ready to lend advice.
“I only knew him as a fellow artist, but he was a genuinely kind guy. I read about his passing on Facebook, and I am still in shock,” Mlalazi shared.
The arts community has not only lost a creative mind but also a devoted leader who dedicated his life to cultivating and supporting Zimbabwean talent.
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Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter