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Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]

A familiar face has been spotted on the streets of Bulawayo and Harare recently, sparking excitement and whispers of a comeback. Bulawayo-born South African actor, Luthuli Dlamini, a veteran of film and television, has been quietly filming a pilot movie project in Zimbabwe.

Rumours of personal struggles had threatened to overshadow his illustrious career, with talk of homelessness and a declining acting portfolio. However, a Saturday Chronicle team witnessed Dlamini in action, a performance promising to revitalise his career and showcase his enduring talent.

Luthuli Dlamini, (second from left) with Marc Anthony Green (left), Emory Nare (second from right), Calisto Lee (centre), and Nomaswazi Tshongwe

The pilot Christian film, shot at a local bar, sees him play John Ntaba Luthuli, a once-famous teacher who has fallen on hard times but is given a second chance by William Anderson, a missionary from Soluswe Mission, and Jim Mayinza, a local man bridging the gap between the missionaries and the community.

Off-set, Dlamini has generously shared his expertise with aspiring young actors through masterclasses at Cilla’s Conference Centre in Bulawayo. These sessions have offered local actors a unique opportunity to learn from a master, gaining insights that will undoubtedly shape their careers.

As he prepares to conclude filming and return to South Africa, those who have worked with him are unanimous in their praise.
“Working with Luthuli has been a revelation. His passion, experience, and generosity have inspired us all, and we can’t wait to see the final product,” said a production team member.

As the curtain falls on Dlamini’s Zimbabwean sojourn, one thing is clear: this veteran actor, known for his roles in Generations, Intersexions, and Scandal, is far from finished. With a renewed sense of purpose and a revitalised career, Dlamini is poised to reclaim his place in the spotlight, and the public eagerly awaits his next act. — @MbuleloMpofu.