Eulogy for my Daughter, Tiisetso Dladla
By Dr Reuel J. Khoza I 28 June 1985 - 11 August 2026
My beloved daughter, Tiisetso…
From the cradle of Johannesburg you rose, radiant and determined, carrying within you a flame that illuminated every path you walked. You painted our women, our heritage, our struggles, our triumphs - and when the brush could no longer contain the immensity of your vision, you turned to film, to moving images that breathed life into memory.
I watched you stride across the stage at Howard University, Magna Cum Laude, your art celebrated in the halls of learning. I watched you cross oceans to New York, where Tisch School of the Arts refined your brilliance. You gave the world films that bore your soul: Unveil, Exiled, Cold War, and Nehemiah. That last one, my child, was a jewel - a story of an autistic teenager told with tenderness and courage, earning you the Spike Lee Production Fund Award and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s recognition.
You taught children to dream, you edited stories for Kidlit TV, you painted murals across Brooklyn, and lent your artistry to Spike Lee himself. Twice, your oil paintings became part of his films - your brush strokes immortalised on screen. You were not only my daughter; you were a daughter of Africa, of the diaspora, of the world.
And yet, you remained humble. You returned home, founding Living Voice Productions, determined to tell our stories - the stories of Africa, the stories of our people. You dreamed of Goree, your debut feature, a film that would carry our voices across oceans.
In your own words you proclaimed: “I am a filmmaker and film enthusiast. Inspired by the art of the narrative and storytelling in all its forms. My passion is in producing films and I aspire to have a long career making inspirational and heart-warming cinema. I am a director; scriptwriter; editor and art director. My skills also include expertise in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), digital arts, production design, scenic painting and animation.”
You had a crystal clear date with destiny and you were moving inexorably towards its actualisation.
My darling Tiisetso, you left us too soon, in pain we could not ease, in silence we could not break. But you did not leave us empty. You left us with art, with film, with murals, with memories, with love. You left us with proof that expectation was not a burden for you - it was a calling, and you answered it with grace.
As your father, I grieve with a heart that feels shattered. But I also stand proud, knowing that you lived fully, fiercely, and beautifully. You were my daughter, my joy, my pride, my hope. And though death has taken you from my arms, it cannot take you from the world you helped shape.
And now, I must speak of Tumelo - your beloved son, my treasured grandson. He continues to uplift my spirit with outstanding scholastic performance, topping his class in mathematics and science, excelling in aggregate. As if that were not enough, he outsprints his entire age group, even those a grade above, and eclipses his peers in every sporting code. Tumelo never ceases to bedazzle us with questions and remarks far beyond his years. He is a God-sent comforter. You could not have bequeathed to us a better solace.
Fare thee well, beloved daughter. I shall cling to the message you sent me on Father’s Day: “To my five-star dad, thank you for the awesome DNA. Thank you for all your love and support for me and Tumelo. You deserve the absolute best on Father’s Day and always.”
Rest now, Tiisetso. Your voice lives on. Your light will never dim.