Known for roles that stay with audiences long after the credits roll, Dawn Thandeka King has become one of South Africa’s most recognisable storytellers. Born in KwaZulu-Natal, she carries a deep connection to culture, family, identity and African storytelling.
“It made me realise that our experiences have no borders”
Her story recently brought her to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where she was honoured at the Imiklomelo kaDakamela Cultural Festival in Nkayi District, Matabeleland. It was also her first time in Bulawayo, with memorable stops at Matobo National Park, Highlanders Football Club, 10 On Pauling and chauffeured services by Trail Lines Car Rental.
As asambè celebrates movement, culture, motherhood and regional connection, Dawn reflects on heritage, Bulawayo, Johannesburg and the value of travelling with purpose.
Q: DAWN, WHAT WAS THE FIRST MOMENT IN BULAWAYO THAT MADE YOU FEELTRULY WELCOMED?
A :The first moment that made me feel welcomed, and left me in happy tears, was when I was received by UmAfrica, who welcomed me by saying my clan names. There was also a group of traditional dancers who sang so beautifully. It was a true African welcome, the way I know it from KwaZulu-Natal. My visit to Highlanders Football Club was also a lot of fun. I met the young team, and they sang for me as well.
Q: BEFORE THE CHARACTERS, CAMERAS AND PUBLIC SPOTLIGHT, WHO IS DAWN THANDEKA KING AT HER CORE?
A: Dawn Thandeka King is a divorced mother of five children, four girls and one boy. I was born in Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, and studied Performing Arts at the Durban Institute of Technology. Before joining the entertainment industry,
I worked in Hospitality and Tourism, so I enjoy travelling and making discoveries. Being in entertainment has brought me a lot of love in the SADC region, and I truly appreciate that.
Q: MATABELELAND AND KWAZULU-NATAL SHARE DEEP CULTURAL LINKS. WHAT FELT FAMILIAR, AND WHAT FELT BEAUTIFULLY DIFFERENT?
A: There is very little that is different between us. The language is not so different. I speak isiZulu, so hearing Ndebele being spoken made me realise we are not so different. I tried foods I am not used to, like bream fish, umbhida and pap made from sorghum. The rest felt quite familiar. I also enjoyed hanging out at Chicken Corner; it reminded me of some of the places we have in KZN.
Q: YOU WERE HONOURED AT THE IMIKLOMELO KADAKAMELA CULTURAL FESTIVAL. HOW DID THAT RECOGNITION RESONATE WITH YOU?
A: Being honoured at the Dakamela Awards is something I will not forget. As a storyteller of stories rooted in culture, particularly Shaka iLembe, I felt part of a bigger picture, where the stories I am part of will live in history for years to come. I am truly grateful for the recognition of my craft. As a mother, I am also grateful that my children get to see their mom being honoured for her contribution to history.
Q: WHEN PEOPLE IN ZIMBABWE CONNECT WITH YOUR CHARACTERS, WHAT DOES THAT REVEAL ABOUT AFRICAN STORIES?
A: I appreciated the love I received in Zimbabwe, especially the love for the characters I have portrayed on the shows I have been part of. People related to those characters in such a loving way, and it made me realise that our experiences have no borders. As African people, our experiences and stories are extremely similar, and I appreciate being part of something that connects people across borders.
Q: AS A MOTHER AND WOMAN IN THE PUBLIC EYE, HOW DO YOU STAY CENTRED?
A: Being a mother to young adults and teenagers is no child’s play. However, I do try to be a present mother. In the middle of a busy schedule, where I sometimes do not see my children enough, I make up for it by taking them out to eat or watching our favourite shows while we eat junk food. I also cook for them sometimes, and they love my cooking. Mother’s Day is very fulfilling for me because all my babies surround me with love and appreciation. My children are proud of my achievements, and they support me in everything I do.
Q: YOUR BULAWAYO STAY INCLUDED 10 ON PAULING AND TRAIL LINES CAR RENTAL. HOW DID GOOD HOSTING SHAPE THE TRIP?
A: I truly appreciate the hospitality that 10 On Pauling showed me. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Bulawayo. Comfort is very important when you are travelling because it makes you want to experience more of the place you are in. I also appreciate Trail Lines Car Rental for handling my transportation with absolute ease. Thank you to Cedric and Glen for being an amazing team. They were my tour guides, and they made sure I saw many exciting parts of Bulawayo. The Bowery is also a restaurant you will want to try if you love dining in style.
Q: MATOBO NATIONAL PARK IS KNOWN FOR ITS HISTORY, BEAUTY AND STILLNESS. WHAT DID BEING THERE AWAKEN IN YOU, AND WHAT SHOULD FIRST-TIME VISITORS TAKE TIME TO APPRECIATE?
A: I must be honest, I did not know about Matobo National Park before this trip. Because we do not always travel within our own continent, it was my first time experiencing a place as sacred as Matobo. It is so peaceful up there, and I got to see the sunset with my friends. I am a spiritual person, so being there felt deeply moving. It made me feel like I had arrived at a truly sacred place. If you are going there for the first time, go towards sunset. You will thank me later.
Q: YOUR HIGHLANDERS FC VISIT ADDED A FOOTBALL MOMENT FOR SOUTH AFRICANS. ARE WE CALLING IT CULTURAL DIPLOMACY?
A: To tell you the truth, I am not really a big soccer fan. I usually follow whatever my partner supports, which means at this point I am on my own, lol. I came across Highlanders FC and heard about their history, including the fact that they turned 100 years old, which is a big deal as far as I am concerned. I also heard that if you support Highlanders FC in Zimbabwe, you would most likely support Orlando Pirates in South Africa, and I thought that was a great thing. So I guess I am Bosso and Bhakaniya right there. I made that decision through discovering the history behind these giants.
Q: THIS ISSUE EXPLORES JOHANNESBURG BEYOND THE FAMILIAR LENS. WHERE WOULD YOU SEND SOMEONE VISITING JOHANNESBURG FOR THREE NIGHTS?
A: For someone visiting Johannesburg for the first time, I would say start at the Apartheid Museum so you can understand what South Africa went through before democracy. Visit Vilakazi Street in Soweto to see where Mandela lived and, most importantly, where Winnie Mandela was left with the children. Go to Lesedi Cultural Village to experience a bit of our culture, and do not forget to have a wonderful time in Maboneng.
Q: WITH AIRLINES LIKE FASTJET CONNECTING SOUTH AFRICA AND ZIMBABWE, HOW IMPORTANT IS EASY REGIONAL TRAVEL?
A: My experience with fastjet was amazing. The service is absolutely fantastic and suitable for both work and holiday travel. When I was in Zimbabwe, I wished my children were experiencing it with me. The beauty of it all is that you can come and experience beautiful places as a family or as a team.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOUTH AFRICAN CELEBRITIES, CREATIVES AND FAMILIES CONSIDERING ZIMBABWE AS MORE THAN JUST AN EVENT STOP?
A: Besides sightseeing, I also got to interact with the people of Bulawayo. I admired the work ethic of the businesspeople I met, and I was particularly impressed by the businesswomen, from beauty to fashion and entertainment. I was happy to meet women I could collaborate with. I also met with creatives and shared some of my experience in the entertainment industry during a question-and-answer session. Gobela Arts Development Agency is doing very well in preserving the arts in Bulawayo.
CONCLUSION
Dawn Thandeka King’s visit to Bulawayo was more than a cultural honour; it was a reminder that African stories travel with us. In Nkayi, Bulawayo, and Matobo National Park, she found familiar language, a shared spirit, and a welcome that crossed borders with ease, reinforcing how deeply connected we already are. Journeys like this are a call to explore more of our continent, and with fastjet making regional travel easier, it becomes less about distance and more about discovery. Africa is not only a destination but also home, memory, and meaning for all of us.
Text by Mukoma Bryan | Images © Dawn Thandeka King
