Dumisani Dlamini (; born 23 October 1963) is a South African actor and dancer best known for playing Crocodile in Sarafina! (1992) and Chester on Yizo Yizo. He is the father of American singer and rapper Doja Cat.
Career Dlamini started his career in South Africa as a dancer which led him to be cast in the musical, Sarafina! which premiered in South Africa in 1987. His international career started when the musical became a Broadway production which led him to tour the U.S. from 28 January 1988 — 2 July 1989. His film career began when the play was adapted into the movie Sarafina! (1992) starring Whoopi Goldberg. He lived in the U.S. for a few years after the show ended and later returned to South Africa where he continued his work in the television and music industry. He is also credited as the producer and pianist on Linda Kekana's I am an African album which was released by Gallo Records in 2002.Mojapelo, Max (2009) Beyond Memory. Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music.p234 He started a career in television and has been acting for the past 30 years where he appeared in popular South African shows like Isibaya, Shaka Ilembe, and Yizo Yizo amongst others. He produced Mercy: Sex Appeal.
Personal life Dlamini is from Durban, South Africa and is of Zulu descent.
In the 1990s, in the course of a tour to the United States as a part of Mbongeni Ngema's cast and crew, Dlamini met painter and clothing designer, Deborah Sawyer and had a relationship with her before parting ways. Sawyer is the mother of his son Raman and daughter Amala, better known as the rapper and singer Doja Cat.
In 2023, at the age of 59, Dlamini paid a bride price (lobola) for his wife Ophelia Mulela on 2 September 2023; the couple held a private ceremony in Soweto, South Africa. He was previously engaged to Girlie Nhlengethwa and Nandi Ndlovu.
Accolades List of Accolades Award / Film Festival Year Recipient Project Nomination Result Ref.South African Film and Television Awards 2009 Usindiso Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama 2022 eHostela Golden Horn Award for Best Actor in a TV Drama
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