Through family memories, archival fragments and animation, Dear Sikhonkwane honours the remarkable life and legacy of Sikhonkwane Steven Mahlalela, one of the pioneering authors and educators of the siSwati language.

A prolific writer who produced more than 40 books, Mahlalela devoted his life to education, storytelling and the preservation of his mother tongue at a time when African languages were systematically marginalised. His journey was shaped by missionary schooling and the restrictions of Bantu Education, yet he continued to champion language and cultural knowledge as powerful tools of identity and resilience.

Director Sihle Hlophe's intimate documentary is both a portrait of an important but little-known cultural figure and a celebration of the enduring power of language. Through memories, stories and reflections on Mahlalela's work, Dear Sikhonkwane explores the connections between education, cultural preservation and the responsibility to pass knowledge from one generation to the next.

A moving tribute to a pioneering voice, the film asks what we risk losing when a language and its stories are forgotten — and what can be preserved when they are kept alive.

Awards:

- Best Edited South African Short Documentary, Encounters South African International Documentary Festival 2026.