The South African cinema is poised to welcome a new character-driven drama-comedy titled Dear Sis Dolly. This upcoming film centres on personal transformation as it relates to professional ambition.
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S’Thandiwe will play Melody Makaringe, the Editor-in-Chief at Drum Head Quarters. The seasoned veteran actress’s role is a major one as the term ‘Sis Dolly’ is a respected Auntie to the nation who gives the right advice all the time.
Dear Sis Dolly | official trailer
In Cinemas July 3 2026
Cast: Didintle Khunou, Natasha Thahane, S’thandiwe Kgoroge, Dineo Langa, Brighton Ngoma, Jerry Mofokeng, Abigail Kubeka, Solomon Sebothoma, SlindoKuhle Tshabalala
Directed by: Twiggy Matiwana pic.twitter.com/3CByzHkCu9
— Actor Spaces (@actorspaces) May 29, 2026
Other stars in Dear Sis Dolly
Other lead cast members are Didintle Khunou, Natasha Thahane, Dineo Langa, and Brighton Ngoma.
As the story follows Mmabotsana, an ambitious psychologist and social worker whose struggling private practice in Mamelodi pushes her toward an unexpected opportunity for ‘Sis Dolly,’ an Agony Aunt at Drum Magazine.
Every magazine reader knew of the ‘Sis Dolly’ character, how she advised both men and women who read the magazine.
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What this means for the average South African
The character taps into a missing market at the time in Mzansi and immediately resonates strongly across South Africa, dealing with different problems. Whether that be career reinvention, generational competition, women’s leadership and the tension in people’s marriages.
Telling this iconic Drum Magazine agony-aunt format as its backdrop, the film showcases the importance of magazine culture in South Africa. It grounds these themes in a familiar cultural institution where the public trusted and relied on ‘Sis Dolly.’
Release date
This female-led story is another addition to South Africa’s growing film scene, placing women at the centre of the story.
Dear Sis Dolly arrives in cinemas on 3 July 2026.
New film ‘Dear Sis Dolly’
S’Thandiwe Kgoroge poses in the official press images for the film.
She plays Melody Makaringe, the Editor-in-Chief of Drum Magazine, in ‘Dear Sis Dolly’
‘Dear Sis Dolly’ follows Mmabotsana, a struggling psychologist from Mamelodi who competes for a… pic.twitter.com/pcIRZC7XER
— Jabulani Macdonald ⚡️ (@Jabu_Macdonald) June 10, 2026
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