Award-winning South African actress, director, and entrepreneur Sthandiwe Kgoroge has opened up about the creative process behind her latest role in the upcoming film Dear Sis Dolly, revealing how years of observing media professionals helped her bring the character of a powerful magazine editor to life.
With a career spanning more than 25 years, Kgoroge has portrayed a wide range of memorable characters, from doctors and activists to grandmothers and twins. In Dear Sis Dolly, she takes on the role of Melody MM Makaringe, the Editor-in-Chief of the iconic Drum magazine, a character she describes as confident, influential, and deeply inspiring.
Speaking about the role, Kgoroge said one of the greatest joys of acting is the opportunity to step into different lives and professions. Playing a successful Black female editor allowed her to portray a woman whose leadership, intelligence, and strength are central to the story.
To prepare for the role, Kgoroge drew on years of experience working alongside magazine editors during fashion shoots and editorial productions. She explained that directing fashion content for publications such as True Love magazine gave her first-hand insight into how editors lead their teams and make creative decisions.
She also immersed herself in research, studying influential women in South African journalism, including former Drum editor Liz Khumalo. According to Kgoroge, observing these trailblazing women helped shape the authenticity and confidence of Melody’s character.
One of the biggest challenges, she said, was portraying a woman in a leadership position without falling into the common stereotype that strong female leaders are automatically viewed as villains. Instead, she wanted audiences to see a character who demands excellence while remaining compassionate and caring beneath her tough exterior.
Kgoroge explained that she developed an extensive “character bible” before filming, creating a detailed backstory that went far beyond what was written in the script. She believes actors must fully understand their characters’ lives, personalities, and motivations in order to deliver believable performances.
Despite becoming deeply immersed in each role, the actress says she makes a conscious effort to leave every character behind once filming ends. She described removing her costume and makeup as a symbolic way of thanking the character for the opportunity before moving on to her next project.
Beyond discussing her performance, Kgoroge also encouraged South Africans to support local cinema. She noted that Dear Sis Dolly will receive an exclusive theatrical release rather than debuting on television or a streaming platform, saying audiences should continue supporting cinemas to preserve the country’s movie-going culture.
Dear Sis Dolly is scheduled to premiere in Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas across South Africa from July 3, 2026. The film celebrates storytelling, journalism, and the enduring legacy of Drum magazine while showcasing the strength and resilience of women in leadership.
