Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena,lZimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
It has been a year since the death of seasoned arts practitioner and administrator Sihlangu Dlodlo, yet his influence and impact on the Bulawayo arts scene continue to be deeply felt and celebrated by those who had the priviledge of knowing and working with him.
Dlodlo, a veteran theatre director, playwright, and mentor, died on October 28, 2024, after he was found lifeless at his home in Nketa 9. He was buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery on November 2, joining other luminaries who helped shape the city’s creative and cultural identity.
A towering figure in the local arts industry, Dlodlo’s name is synonymous with excellence and mentorship. Through his work with Amakhosi Theatre, Black Umfolosi, and various community projects, he played a key role in nurturing talent and pushing Zimbabwean theatre to international stages. Among those who came through his guidance are the late Beater Mangethe, Qeqeshiwe Mntambo, Noma Nkwali, Zenzo Nyathi, Mandla Moyo, and the late poet Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo.
Despite his achievements, many remember Dlodlo not just for his artistic brilliance but for his humour, warmth, and genuine love for people.
Canada-based singer and actor Noma Nkwali, one of his protégés, described Dlodlo as a father figure who changed her life both personally and professionally.
“This month marks a year since my dad, Dlodlo, passed away. I miss him deeply. Though he wasn’t my biological father, he treated me like his own and believed in me wholeheartedly. He gave me confidence, faith, and love that continue to guide me every day. I’ll never get used to the fact that he’s gone,” said Nkwali.
She also paid tribute to Dlodlo’s wife, Nokuthula Dlodlo, who sponsored her first music video, highlighting the couple’s generosity and belief in young talent. In honour of her mentor, Nkwali faced her fears and made a theatre comeback after 15 years, starring in the play Through a Film Darkly, which premiered at the Anvil Theatre in Canada in July.
Arts administrator Raisedon Baya, a long-time friend and collaborator, reflected on Dlodlo’s colourful personality and passion for life.
“There are so many things I remember about Dlodlo – his humour, his love for people, and his obsession with music by the late Oliver Mtukudzi.
“He’d play Tuku’s CDs in his car on repeat and sing along endlessly. He was unpredictable, funny, and full of life. That’s how I’ll always remember him,” said Baya.
Mandla Moyo, another protégé, recalled his early days under Dlodlo’s mentorship at Amakhosi Theatre in the early 1990s.
“He taught me so much, from writing letters to crafting poems. He even taught me karate because I was new in the city. He helped me with food, gave me roles in his plays, and guided me with kindness. I’m the performer I am today because of him,” said Moyo.
Though he is no longer with us, Dlodlo’s legacy remains alive through the many artists he inspired and the timeless productions he created. His award-winning plays, Have You Seen Yoyo?, None But Ourselves, Ntombikayise and Hlengiwe Mntanami, Dibhela, Witnesses and Victims, and Pen Pals, introduced fresh faces and ideas to the local theatre scene.
He also directed classics such as Cont Mhlanga’s Nansi Le Ndoda and Children On Fire, as well as Raisedon Baya’s Witnesses and Victims. Gentle, passionate, and creative, Sihlangu Dlodlo will forever be remembered as a gentle giant whose heart, laughter, and mentorship shaped generations of artists and helped put Bulawayo’s theatre on the map.
