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Julius Malema scores Rasta’s painting of him 10 out of 10
Julius Malema was a guest on SABC 1’s Daily Thetha when Rasta, together with other artists, presented him with a painted portrait.
Julius Malema receiving a painting of himself drawn by Rasta. Picture: @MeshackBevhula/Twitter
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) President Julius Malema has given Rasta the artist a score of 10 out of 10 for how he depicted him in a painting.
The scoring came when one X user asked Malema how much he would rate Rasta for his latest work, to which the politician gladly responded to.
10
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) October 25, 2023
Real name Lebani Sirejenje, Rasta is often criticised for how he depicts people he portrays on canvas, because his artwork regularly comes out like caricatures than respectable depiction of a person. Rasta became famous by painting portraits of deceased local celebrities at their funerals or memorial services.
Malema was a guest on SABC 1’s Daily Thetha TV show and a couple of artists were present to give him portraits of him they have done. Rasta was one of the artists who depicted Malema.
CIC @Julius_S_Malema receiving portraits from Artists including Rasta the Artist, after his interview on @Official_SABC1 DailyThetha.
— Rasta The Artist (@RastaArtist) October 25, 2023
Julius words "we must protect the creative industry and ensure artists are taken care of!"#JuliusMalema #CICDailyThetha #SABC1 pic.twitter.com/fqgEEnKqKP
ALSO READ: ‘He was afraid of Amabutho,’ − social media reacts to Rasta’s paintings of Mangosuthu Buthelezi
Rasta being selective
In September, when Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi died, Rasta went down to KZN to attend the burial. He made three paintings of the politician one of a younger looking Buthelezi, and two others showing him in his elderly years.
The good depictions of Buthelezi made people think that he did the painting accurately because he was intimidated by the Zulu Regiment known as Amabutho. Amabutho came out in their numbers as they prepared to bid Buthelezi farewell, with the streets surrounding the Icebolethu mortuary buzzing with singing and chanting by the Zulu regiments.
“But wena Lasta you make sure you do better when it comes to KZN people and don’t respect other provinces,” wrote Nkosekhaya Velem on X.
But Wena Lasta you make sure you do better when it comes to KZN people and don't respect other provinces 🙆🏿♂️
— Nkosekhaya Velem (@nkosi_87) September 15, 2023
Rasta could’ve depicted Malema as best as he could, possibly out of fear of being called out by the rambunctious leader.
Reactions
Malema wasn’t the only one who thought Rasta’s latest work was impressive. A number of netizens also felt the artist who hails from Zimbabwe but based in Mzansi, outdid himself.
This is the first ever decent painting by RASTÁ pic.twitter.com/SupzPRHR7t
— VelvetChild SA (@Velvetchild_SA) October 25, 2023
This is Rasta's best painting
— Rakgadi Rubber Bands 💵 (@rakgadibandz) October 25, 2023
He wouldn't dare smoke weed before painting the SeeEyeSee! pic.twitter.com/s1UID8RE2Y
— erickhady💯🇿🇦 (@dyanieric) October 25, 2023
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