AFDA Johannesburg Senior Lecturer Alex Sono continues to demonstrate the powerful connection between industry practice and creative education with his latest screen performance as Papi in the newly released South African feature film Dear Sis Dolly.
Now showing in cinemas nationwide, Dear Sis Dolly reimagines the iconic Drum magazine advice column through a heartfelt contemporary story that explores mental health, healing, community and the enduring power of human connection. The film follows Khethiwe, an idealistic psychologist who enters the race to become the next Sis Dolly in a bid to save a struggling community mental health centre, discovering along the way that caring for others begins with confronting her own journey of healing.
Alex Sono portrays Papi, a charismatic podcaster whose voice represents the pulse of a new generation. Speaking about his character, Sono describes Papi as “a modern-day Drum writer,” someone deeply connected to community, culture and the conversations shaping contemporary South Africa. Through his podcast, Papi reflects the rhythm, creativity and social consciousness of a generation navigating identity, relationships and collective responsibility.
Reflecting on the role, Sono explains that Papi’s relationship with the film’s protagonist symbolises communal care and the importance of young Black people supporting and holding one another accountable. His character also offers a refreshing portrayal of young Black men championing the women in their communities, reinforcing one of the film’s central themes of empathy, compassion and shared healing.
For AFDA students, Sono’s performance is another example of the institution’s commitment to lecturers who remain active practitioners within the creative industries. By balancing professional acting with academic leadership, he brings current industry knowledge, lived experience and authentic creative insight directly into the classroom, ensuring students learn from educators who continue to shape South African film and television.
Dear Sis Dolly boasts an accomplished ensemble cast including Didintle Khunou, Natasha Thahane, S’thandiwe Kgoroge, Abigail Kubeka, Brighton Ngoma, Dr Jerry Mofokeng-Makhetha and Dineo Langa, under the direction of acclaimed filmmaker Twiggy Matiwana. The film celebrates one of South Africa’s most beloved cultural institutions while exploring themes that resonate strongly with audiences today.
AFDA congratulates Alex Sono on this outstanding performance and celebrates another example of its lecturers making meaningful contributions to South Africa’s thriving creative economy. His work on Dear Sis Dolly embodies AFDA’s philosophy that great educators are also active creators, bringing industry excellence, artistic integrity and real-world experience into every learning environment.