Khaya Dlanga recently disclosed a touching episode from over a decade ago of how at the age of 14, the now-famous musician Doja Cat reached out to him, seeking information about her estranged father, Dumisani Dlamini.
Khaya Dlanga’s Account of Assisting Doja Cat
Dlanga, in a heartfelt Instagram video posted on Wednesday, recounted the moment he received an email from Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, known globally as Doja Cat. She had discovered his South African roots through his YouTube content and decided to seek his help.
“She emailed me saying she was looking for her dad. It broke my heart, and I felt compelled to assist. I shared her story on my blog. Initially, I had no idea who Dumisani was until I searched online and recognized him.”
Dlanga continued, explaining that he reached out to a cousin who was a notable actor to see if he could establish contact with Dumisani and relay Doja Cat’s message and contact details.
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“My cousin said he connected with Dumisani. That was the last update I received,” Dlanga mentioned, adding that a recent YouTube video revisiting this story included screenshots of the email from Doja Cat.
Doja Cat’s Background and Connection to Dumisani Dlamini
Dumisani Dlamini met Deborah Elizabeth Sawyer, Doja Cat’s mother, during a Sarafina! tour in the 1990s. Despite his fame, Doja Cat has expressed on multiple occasions that she has never met her father.
In a 2020 encounter with Whoopi Goldberg, who starred alongside Dumisani in Sarafina!, Doja Cat shared her reflections:
“Meeting you is surreal because it reminds me of my dad, who was in Sarafina!,” she said.
During an interview with Metro FM, Dumisani responded to the clip, claiming he had also been searching for his daughter:
“I’ve been trying to find my daughter too. Americans often create a buzz for media attention. Her management has blocked my attempts to contact her. They fear she might disappear from the spotlight if we reconnect. I know she’s looking for me too.”
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Doja Cat’s Public Comments on Her Father
Recently, Doja Cat updated her X bio with a blunt statement: “My dad’s a deadbeat, but I did well.”
The controversy continued when she took to Instagram, posting:
“Dad, let me know when/if you need me to re-up your makeup cabinet because you are a b*tch.”
She elaborated in the comments, saying: “[He] gave me a lazy eye and dipped.”
However, later that day, she edited the caption to: “JK [Just Kidding] Love you, I was mad.”