Luthuli Dlamini Returns to Bulawayo to Empower Youths with Acting Lessons

Renowned Zimbabwe-born, South Africa-based veteran actor Luthuli Dlamini has returned to Bulawayo, the city where his illustrious career began 30 years ago, to help empower young aspiring actors. Dlamini, who has made a name for himself in the film industry, is on a mission to guide and mentor youths interested in the world of acting.

In a recent interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Dlamini shared his excitement about coming back to the city and taking the opportunity to understand the current state of the film industry and its development among the youth. He explained that although he had been away for some time, he felt it was the right moment to engage with the younger generation of aspiring actors.

“I will be conducting acting lessons starting from the 29th of this month, so that all the youths may get an opportunity to understand how the film industry works,” Dlamini said.

Reflecting on his early experiences, Dlamini noted how the film industry in Zimbabwe was once seen as a passion project, rather than a viable career path. “Thirty years ago, film acting was not a career path favoured by individuals as it was underestimated. It was only being taken up by those with a passion, but now it is a career as it generates a lot of money for individuals,” he said.

The inspiration to offer acting lessons came after Dlamini interacted with students at Sizane High School, where he noticed a strong interest in the film industry among the youth. He expressed his willingness to share his extensive experience to help them refine their acting skills and contribute to the growth of the film sector in Zimbabwe.

“I am willing to share my experience within the film industry with the youths so that they can perfect their skills in the industry for the growth of the sector within Zimbabwe,” he explained. He also highlighted that the global film industry is a vast sector, generating significant capital and employment, and he hopes to help Zimbabweans explore opportunities within it.

Dlamini plans to help aspiring actors not only with their craft but also with navigating financial opportunities within the industry. “I want to explore and investigate how the film industry is in Zimbabwe. I will help them on how to access money in the film industry,” he added.

The veteran actor’s journey in the arts began in Bulawayo, where he first developed his passion for acting. “I started my career at Camel School in conjunction with a Bulawayo theatre group in a play called Baobab Tree,” he recalled. Although his roots are in theatre, Dlamini has since transitioned into television acting, appearing in notable South African shows such as Scandal, Cold Father, The Coconuts, and Uzalo.

Dlamini believes that the film industry is rapidly evolving with the rise of digital media, and he is eager to help the youth understand how they can modernize and adapt to these changes for the benefit of the nation. “Today, the film industry is transforming with digitalization, and I want to help the youths understand how they can modernize the industry for the benefit of the nation,” he said.

His return to Bulawayo and his commitment to sharing his skills and experience are seen as crucial steps in helping to elevate the Zimbabwean film industry. Dlamini emphasized that the key to improving the sector lies in experienced actors returning to their roots and passing on their knowledge to the next generation.

“I believe the only way to improve the film industry is when the experienced actors come back and share their skills with the community,” he concluded. Through his lessons and mentorship, Dlamini aims to ignite a new era of filmmaking in Zimbabwe.