Dumisani Dlamini blames Doja Cat’s mother for their poor relationship
Dumisani Dlamini has spoken out in defence of his name, pushing back against long-standing accusations that he abandoned his daughter, Doja Cat.
His comments came shortly after his unexpected appearance at her South African show, part of the Global Citizen Move Afrika held at the SunBet Arena, where their strained relationship once again drew public attention.
In a now-deleted Instagram post, the veteran actor said he felt compelled to finally share his side of the story, insisting that the narrative about him being an absent father was unfair.
“I want to tell you the facts. I’ve worked hard to make my name, my reputation. I’ve worked hard, I’ve fought for this country… with Sarafina. I have been sad, but no one knows why…” he said.
Dlamini went on to reflect on his past relationship with Doja Cat’s mother, Deborah Sawyer, whom he met while in the United States.
According to him, tensions within the family and his experiences abroad played a role in how his relationship with his daughter later unfolded.
“You can’t be in a foreign country and find a woman… And then she becomes so lucky that she gives birth to a superstar. She gives information to the superstar that her father is not a good man,” he claimed.
He further alleged that he had supported the household financially at the time and rejected claims that he walked away from his child.
“I’m not going to be used… I was feeding those kids with the money from Sarafina. I love my kids [and] I took care of her kids,” he said.
Maintaining that he never abandoned his daughter, Dlamini added: “That white woman brainwashed my baby, that I had left her. I never left my kid.”
He concluded by describing himself as “a man of integrity, respect and love,” even as the post was later taken down.
Zandile AKA Dojacat’s father Dumisani Dlamini expressing his side… pic.twitter.com/8q3Olu8C7y
— —𝙺𝚊𝙼𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚕𝚎𝚔𝚊🌸 (@Sizi_phiwe) March 22, 2026