Dumisani Dlamini is Doja Cat's father and most of her fans have absolutely no idea
Dumisani Dlamini, a South African actor, dancer, and producer, is the father of Doja Cat, a well-known American rapper/singer. Many fans are often surprised to learn that her dad played the iconic role of Crocodile in the 1992 musical film Sarafina! With a career spanning over three decades, Dumisani has maintained a consistent presence in television and film, appearing in productions such as Yizo Yizo, Isibaya, and Shaka iLembe. You can read on to know more about Doja Cat's father.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Dumisani Dlamini's profile summary
- Where are the Dlamini originally from?
- What is Dumisani Dlamini's age?
- What is Dumisani Dlamini's background?
- What was Dumisani Dlamini's Sarafina experience?
- What was Dumisani Dlamini’s Isibaya name?
- What was Dumisani Dlamini’s role on Yizo Yizo?
- Dumisani Dlamini’s movies and TV shows
- Dumisani Dlamini's songs
- Is Doja Cat's father black?
- What race is Doja Cat's mom?
- What is Dumisani Dlamini's daughter's real name?
- Dumisani Dlamini and Doja Cat's alienated relationship
- What is Dumisani Dlamini's son's name?
- Dumisani Dlamini has how many children?
- Who is Dumisani Dlamini's wife?
- Facts about Dumisani Dlamini
Key takeaways
- Dumisani moved to the US in 1988 as part of the Sarafina! cast and lived there for over 15 years.
- He met Deborah Sawyer in the US in the '90s while performing in Sarafina! on Broadway.
- They had a brief relationship resulting in two children, including rapper Doja Cat.
- Dlamini later opted to return to South Africa with his family, but things didn't go as planned.
- He returned to SA alone and continued his career, leaving Sawyer to raise their kids in California.
Dumisani Dlamini's profile summary
Full name | Dumisani Dlamini |
Gender | Male |
Birthdate | 23 October 1963 |
Age | 62 years old (as of April 2026) |
Birthplace | Durban, South Africa |
Nationality | South African |
Height | 5'9" (175 cm) |
Eye color | Dark brown |
Hair color | Black |
Children | 7 |
Ex-partner | Deborah Sawyer |
Spouse | Ophelia Mulela |
Career | Actor, dancer, and producer |
Years active | 1987–present |
Where are the Dlamini originally from?
South African actor Dumisani Dlamini is from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, where he was born and raised.
What is Dumisani Dlamini's age?
Born on 23rd October 1963, the South African actor is 62 years old (as of April 2026).
What is Dumisani Dlamini's background?
Dumisani began as a dancer, performing at weddings as a child and later toured with Mbongeni Ngema. His talent led to his role in the original 1987 South African stage production of Sarafina! and the subsequent Broadway tour from 1988 to 1989.
He would end up living in the United States for 15 more years before returning to South Africa, where he has played villainous characters in multiple South African dramas.
Source: Original
What was Dumisani Dlamini's Sarafina experience?
Dumisani felt that South Africans did not accord Sarafina!, the film, received the respect that it deserved for the international boundaries it broke in the '80s. During an interview with TshisaLIVE, he revealed the difficulties the young cast members of the original Sarafina! stage play had to endure.
The actor also expressed disappointment regarding the lack of recognition the cast received upon their return from the Broadway tour, emphasizing that they were "soldiers on stage" fighting for South Africa through art.
He said;
We found ourselves in America. If I remember correctly, we were supposed to be there for six months, but that wasn't the case. The show extended for a year. You must remember we were very young, and some of the girls were crying to go back home.
Sarafina! was not an entertainment show. It was a 'struggle' piece of art. It is actually really sad that it is not recognized. We were soldiers on stage, fighting for this country through art.
Dumisani explained that the show was then extended for six years without proper explanations regarding their delay in returning home. They eventually realised they were "in exile" as they would have been arrested if they returned to South Africa.
What was Dumisani Dlamini’s Isibaya name?
Dlamini played the character Mbodla on Isibaya, a South African soap opera known for its involvement in the show's taxi industry storylines. He was a recurring cast member, appearing in multiple seasons (roughly 2014–2020).
What was Dumisani Dlamini’s role on Yizo Yizo?
Dumisani played the role of Chester in the first and second seasons of Yizo Yizo. His character was a significant part of the popular South African drama series, which centered on school life and social issues in a Johannesburg township.
Dumisani Dlamini’s movies and TV shows
The veteran South African actor has appeared in these films and TV shows:
Year | Films / TV shows | Role |
1992 | Sarafina! (film) | Crocodile |
1997 | Muvhango | Eric |
1988–1989 | Sarafina! (Broadway tour) | Crocodile |
1999/2001 | Yizo Yizo | Chester |
2008 | Entabeni | Zorro |
2009 | Nomzamo | Treeman Mbanjwa |
2009 | Project MorningStar | Priest |
2010 | 21th Street | Passerby |
2011 | Sokhulu & Partners | Luthando |
2014 | Sticks and Stones | Starring role |
2014-2020 | Isibaya | Mbodla |
2017 | iNumber Number | Kong |
2019 | Uzalo | Ntabaziyalandela |
2021-2023 | The Wife | Dlakadla |
2021 | Reyka | Bra Yule |
2021–2023 | Durban Gen | Bab'Phil |
2023 | eHostela | Marocks/Celemba |
2023 | Shaka iLembe | Mayinga |
2023 | Mkhonto | King Siviko |
2024 | Inkabi | Scar |
As a producer, Dumisani has produced the TV series Drum (2004) and Homecoming (2004), and was an associate producer for Of Journey, Home and Treasure (2008).
He also worked as a standby assistant on Stander (2003) and in the art department for Operation Delta Force films. In addition, Dlamini is credited as a producer and pianist on Linda Kekana's I am an African album.
Dumisani Dlamini's songs
Apart from acting, Dumisani has released South African music across genres, featuring traditional-influenced tracks and Mbube-style music. Some of his notable songs include:
- Back Together
- I Am Sorry
- Irene
- Amadlami
- Abangani
- Modern features like AZUL
Is Doja Cat's father black?
Doja Cat's dad is a Black South African man. Dumisani Dlamini’s ethnicity is part of the Nguni branch of Bantu people, specifically the Zulu descent.
Source: UGC
What race is Doja Cat's mom?
Doja Cat's mother, Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer, is a white Jewish-American painter, graphic designer, and clothing designer. The singer credits her mom as a major inspiration for her artistic and creative career and even featured her in the music video, Gorgeous.
What is Dumisani Dlamini's daughter's real name?
Doja Cat's real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini. She was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up with her mother and older brother in New York and California.
Dumisani Dlamini and Doja Cat's alienated relationship
Doja Cat has frequently noted that Dumisani was absent from her childhood, sometimes stating she had never met him and even calling him a deadbeat on social media.
Dumisani claimed during a 2020 Metro FM interview that Doja Cat's management team blocked his attempts to reach her when she became famous and achieved mainstream success.
In June 2024, a viral video went out revealing that at age 14, Doja reportedly emailed Khaya Dlanga, a South African YouTuber, in an attempt to find and connect with her father, whom she had never met, but only had pictures of him. Dlanga's efforts to help her track down her father in South Africa were unsuccessful.
While Dlamini has historically commented on Doja’s Instagram posts, expressing pride in her success and referring to her as "African Princess," their relationship has not improved.
During her trip to South Africa in March 2026, Doja shared on TikTok that she messaged Dumisani while in Africa, but he reportedly claimed he couldn't attend her show because she didn't message or call him enough on WhatsApp.
In a viral move, Doja responded to his excuse by sending him a link to NSFW (explicit) content, jokingly telling him it was the "link" to buy a ticket to her show.
The actor later posted a video denying being a deadbeat. He also claimed he tried to maintain a connection, but Doja Cat's mother cut off communication and brainwashed Doja to think he abandoned the girl.
What is Dumisani Dlamini's son's name?
Dumisani Dlamini's son, Raman Dalithando Dlamini, is the brother of singer Doja Cat.
Dumisani Dlamini has how many children?
In a 2017 interview with the Sunday Times, Dlamini stated he had seven children, including daughter Doja Cat (Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini) and her brother.
Who is Dumisani Dlamini's wife?
Dumisani married Ophelia Mulela on 2 September 2023 at age 59. The couple held a traditional wedding, often referred to as an Umembeso, in uMhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and paid lobola (bride price). The event was private and attended by many influential figures from the entertainment industry.
Source: UGC
Facts about Dumisani Dlamini
- He postponed his wedding plans to Girlie Nhlengethwa, a chartered accountant, in 2001, because her family in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, demanded R23 000 in lobola, a demand he struggled to meet.
- He was previously engaged to actress Nandi Ndlovu, his co-star from the original Sarafina! production.
- He engages in community work and has supported an orphanage home in Kliptown.
- He has at least three grandchildren.
- He is a self-proclaimed fitness fanatic with a home gym.
- He maintains a clean-shaven head or very short hair, often accessorized with hats.
Public opinion about Dumisani Dlamini and Doja Cat's estranged relationship is deeply divided. While many fans have heavily criticized Dumisani Dlamini as a deadbeat and doubt he deserves a reconciliation, others, particularly in South Africa, have historically expressed hope for a reunion to connect Doja with her Zulu heritage.
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