Known Associates Entertainment is proud to announce that Dear Sis Dolly — a heartwarming South African family comedy-drama — will be showing in cinemas nationwide. The film opens at Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas across South Africa on Friday, 3 July 2026, inviting audiences everywhere to experience a story of community, healing and the timeless wisdom of Drum Magazine’s iconic Sis Dolly column.
Directed by filmmaker Twiggy Matiwana and written by Makganwana Mokgalong, Dear Sis Dolly is a love letter to community, self-love and the enduring cultural legacy of Drum Magazine’s iconic agony aunt column — brought to life by a remarkable ensemble cast of South African screen royalty led by award winning actress Didintle Khunou, with an ensemble that includes S’thandiwe Kgoroge who plays Drum Magazine’s Editor in Chief, bestie Dineo Langa, chief rival Natasha Thahane, nerdish IT guy Brighton Ngoma and the legendary Jerry Mofokeng-Makhetha and Abigail Kubeka amongst others. The film is produced by Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, Moroba Nkawe and Joel Chikapa Phiri of Known Associates Entertainment, with advertising legend Peter Vundla lending his vision and experience as Executive Producer.
ABOUT THE FILM
To save her community mental health centre from closure, an idealistic psychologist enters the competition to become Drum Magazine’s new agony aunt, Sis Dolly — a decision that launches her into comical chaos and forces her to heal her own hidden wounds while fighting to secure a future for the people she serves.
Khethiwe — a quirky, idealistic, and over-achieving psychologist in her late 20’s — has dedicated her life to running Legae, a free mental health centre in her beloved Meadowlands community. But with the centre on the brink of bankruptcy and closure, she seizes an unexpected opportunity: competing for the role of Drum’s iconic agony aunt, Sis Dolly. Winning the position could mean not only helping people nationwide but also earning the funds needed to save Legae.
As Khethiwe throws herself into the competition, she finds herself in increasingly precarious and comical situations — ones that force her to confront her own wounds even as she offers brilliant advice to others. Having long shut out love and neglected family members who need her, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Through the power of community, self-love and compassion, she learns that sometimes, the very help we give others is what we need most ourselves.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
“Growing up in South Africa, Drum Magazine wasn’t just a publication on a coffee table; it was a mirror, a cultural compass, and a lifeline. As I recall, my aunt had a large collection of Drum magazines that filled the entire display cupboard. I’d hide myself behind the couch, reading the stories, I’d be crying, laughing and dreaming, immersed in the world of Drum Magazine. At the very heart of that legacy was Sis Dolly — the ultimate agony aunt to the nation. She was the keeper of our deepest secrets, answering our collective cries for help with a legendary mix of fierce empathy and no-nonsense tough love.”
—Twiggy Matiwana, Director, Dear Sis Dolly
Twiggy Matiwana is a South African director and writer from Grahamstown with a passion for storytelling. After studying creative writing and working as an assistant director, she began directing student films, including See, Speak and Hear no Evil, which screened at the 2013 Encounters Documentary Film Festival. Her documentary The Bicycle Man won awards at Fespaco 2017 and screened at Cannes. She has directed for television, on the series uBettina Wethu and Unseen. She was recently featured in Elle South Africa for her views on filmmaking.
FROM THE PRODUCERS
“We are proud to have brought this nostalgic, formidable South African modern love letter to life! I cannot imagine anyone in this country who does not know and love Sis Dolly from Drum Magazine. At Known Associates Group we revel in our ability to tell beautiful, authentic, easy and challenging South African stories that connect with our people and resonate in the rest of the world. Sis Dolly is a must-see and I hope all South Africans will geza, shesha, let their hair down, dress up and show up at the cinema to celebrate the icon of Sis Dolly in film.”
— Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, CEO & Producer, Known Associates Group
“We are thrilled that we are still able and remain willing to produce high calibre South African productions, with our key partners like the IDC, NFVF, DTIC, EMEDIA, Media Film Services, The Refinery — without their support it would be near impossible to continue to deliver great content and create much needed employment in the country.”
— Joel Chikapa Phiri, Chairman, Known Associates Group
“We pride ourselves in our ability to tell diverse and authentic South African stories, hence our mantra is Known For Story. Producing Sis Dolly is another great achievement for us that shows we connect and know our audiences’ desire for content they can relate to and hold close — content that allows them to escape and relax, whilst seeing themselves or their friends and families in the characters we create and the stories we tell.”
— Moroba Nkawe, CEO, Known Associates Entertainment & Producer, Dear Sis Dolly
“Dear Sis Dolly is exactly the kind of story I want to be part of — warm, distinctly South African, and deeply human. Making my feature film debut as Executive Producer on a project that celebrates our culture, our resilience and our extraordinary capacity for joy fills me with great pride. I am honoured to stand alongside this remarkable team.”
— Dr Peter Vundla, Executive Producer, Dear Sis Dolly
THE CAST
Didintle Khunou as Khethiwe
Award-winning screen, stage and voice actor Didintle Khunou is best known for her celebrated portrayal of Celie in The Color Purple Musical — South Africa was the first country after The West End and Broadway to stage the production in 2018. She received both a Broadway World Online and a Naledi Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her performance.
Dineo Langa as Linda
South African actress and media personality Dineo Langa is widely known for her role as Keabetswe “Kea” Khoza in Mzansi Magic’s The Queen. She has hosted major platforms including the South African Music Awards and the South African Film and Television Awards, and has appeared in Scandal!, The Estate, and the feature film Mrs Right Guy.
S’thandiwe Kgoroge as Melody MM Makaringe
Award-winning actress and director S’thandiwe Kgoroge rose to prominence in Yizo Yizo, earning an Avanti Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her extensive film and television work includes Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, in which she portrayed Albertina Sisulu, as well as Shaka iLembe and This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection.
Abigail Kubeka as Koko
A true South African cultural icon, Abigail Kubeka is a legendary singer and actress whose career spans more than six decades. A former member of The Skylarks alongside Miriam Makeba, she has performed for Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II. She is a recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver, a SAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award and a Wawela Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.
Natasha Thahane as Abo
Natasha Thahane is known internationally for her role as Wendy Dlamini in Netflix’s acclaimed South African teen drama Blood & Water. Her film Kedibone, which streamed on Netflix, earned her a Best African Actress nomination at the Septimius Awards.
Brighton Ngoma as Kwezi
Best known for his long-running portrayal of Quinton Nyathi on e.tv’s Scandal!, Brighton Ngoma is a South African actor and voice artist with a growing screen presence across South African television. He brought T-Bang Moeketsi to life in the SABC1 telenovela uBettina Wethu — a Known Associates Entertainment production — delivering a performance that showcased his range and deepened his profile as one of South Africa’s most watchable screen talents. His credits also include Miseducation.
Dr Jerry Mofokeng-Makhetha as Bra Scratch
One of South Africa’s most distinguished cultural figures, Dr Jerry Mofokeng-Makhetha holds a Master’s degree from Columbia University and an honorary doctorate from the University of the Free State. His film work includes Tsotsi, Mandela and de Klerk, and This Is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection. He is a SAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Also starring: Alex Sono as Papi, Solomon Sebothoma as Nare and Slindokuhle Tshabalala as Zanothando.
THE FILMMAKERS
PRODUCERS
Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri — Producer
Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri is the CEO and founder of the Known Associates Group of Companies, which includes Known Associates Entertainment (KAE) — a film production, development and finance company. KAE’s productions include the acclaimed multi-season telenovela uBettina Wethu, Universal Studios’ Beast (starring Idris Elba), Sony Pictures’ The Woman King (starring Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu) and Death of a Whistleblower, winner of Best Film at the 2026 SAFTAs. Tshepiso is a trustee of the Smile Artist Foundation, Managing Trustee of the Gerald Sekoto Trust, and a board member of the Cradle Nature Reserve.
Moroba Nkawe — Producer
Moroba Nkawe is a producer and film risk management specialist with over 20 years of experience in the South African film and television industry. She is the founder of Maru Film Services and joined Known Associates Entertainment in 2023. Her producing credits include festival-travelling features The Tribe (TIFF 2015), Mandela’s Gun (2016), State of Violence (TIFF, Berlinale, Dubai IFF) and Death of a Whistleblower (TIFF, Sydney). Moroba serves on the board the SA Film Academy.
Joel Chikapa Phiri — Producer
Joel Chikapa Phiri is Chairman of the Known Associates Group and a veteran film producer with a career spanning over 30 years across Africa, Europe and the USA. His credits include productions officially selected for the Cannes Film Festival Director’s Fortnight and Official Competition, among them Flame (1996), Kini and Adams (1997), and Wah-Wah (Edinburgh Opening Night Film, 2005), as well as Francois Verster’s Emmy Award-winning A Lion’s Trail. Joel is a founding member of the Zimbabwe International Film Festival Trust and former Chairperson of the Sithengi Film and Television Market.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Dr Peter Vundla — Executive Producer
Dr Peter Vundla is a pioneering South African entrepreneur, advertising leader and author. He is the co-founder of HerdBuoys, established in 1991 as South Africa’s first wholly Black-owned advertising agency and has held senior roles across advertising, finance, media and broadcasting. He is the author of Doing Time and holds honorary doctorates from the University of the Witwatersrand and Durban University of Technology. Dear Sis Dolly marks his debut as Executive Producer on a feature film.
IN CINEMAS 03 JULY 2026
Dear Sis Dolly at Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas across South Africa from Friday, 3 July 2026. Whether you’re looking for a night out with friends, family, or that special someone, Dear Sis Dolly delivers laughter, heart, and a whole lot of soul — Giving You Something You Can Feel.
Book your tickets now at Ster Kinekor (www.sterkinekor.com) and Nu Metro (www.numetro.co.za).
ABOUT DRUM MAGAZINE
Drum Magazine is one of South Africa’s most iconic publications, a cultural cornerstone for over 70 years. Synonymous with bold storytelling, community connection and the celebration of African identity, Drum’s beloved Sis Dolly column has served as the nation’s agony aunt — offering fierce empathy and honest advice to generations of readers across the country.
ABOUT KNOWN ASSOCIATES ENTERTAINMENT
Known Associates Entertainment (KAE) is one of South Africa’s most dynamic and ambitious screen production companies, led by CEO Moroba Nkawe and built on a singular belief: Known For Story. From the multi-season telenovela phenomenon uBettina Wethu to servicing Universal Studios’ Beast and Sony Pictures’ The Woman King — and most recently claiming Best Film at the 2026 SAFTAs with Death of a Whistleblower — KAE has established itself as a world-class creative and production force. KAE continues to push the boundaries of African storytelling, creating content that connects with local audiences and resonates on a global stage.
ABOUT KNOWN ASSOCIATES GROUP
Known Associates Group is a proudly South African creative and business collective founded and led by CEO Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri. The Group brings together a powerful portfolio of companies spanning the full spectrum of screen production, investment and creative services: Known Associates Entertainment, a leading film production, development and finance company; Moonlighting Films, one of South Africa’s premier television and film servicing companies; Mediaheads 360, a media and communications company; Known Associates TV and Film Investments, the Group’s dedicated investment vehicle for screen content; Zero Gravity unscripted content development and production company; a below-the-line agency; and a design studio. With a state-of-the-art Film & Television Studio currently under development at the iconic Cradle of Humankind in Mogale City, the Known Associates Group is building infrastructure for the future of African storytelling — rooted in excellence, driven by creativity, and unapologetically South African.
