Rise of Thembisa’s young tattoo artist

At 21 years old, Sphiwe Dlamini has carved out a name for himself as one of Thembisa’s most promising young tattoo artists.

His journey began in the care of his aunt, Octavia Jabhile Dlamini, who raised him after his parents separated.

He recalls watching her work tirelessly, only to face retrenchment. This exposed him at a young age to the challenges of survival.

“I couldn’t be raised by both parents, but my aunt played both the mother and father figure in my life,” Dlamini said.

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His passion for art started early.

He discovered his love for drawing in primary school, often competing with friends to see who could create the best sketches.

By Grade 8, he realised his drawings had potential, thanks to encouragement from a friend, Andile Mlambo, who helped him recognise that his talent could become more than just a pastime.

Before venturing into tattoos, Dlamini earned a living by drawing portraits for birthdays and special occasions.

In Grade 10, he met tattoo artist Thabo Phiri, who lived near his home.

The two exchanged skills. Phiri was skilled at tattooing but struggled with drawing, while Dlamini excelled at sketching but was hesitant about tattoos.

This collaboration gave Dlamini the confidence to develop his craft.

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By the age of 16, he was already tattooing clients, making him the youngest tattoo artist in Thembisa.

Despite criticism and doubts from those who thought he was too young, Dlamini remained focused.

“People didn’t believe in me, but I kept going, praying that one day I would have a tattoo parlour of my own.”

Mentorship also played a key role in his growth. He credits Mo Tattoos, Zwi Tattoos, and the late Katlego Thoka, known as ‘#Kat Tat’ as major influences. Kat Tat introduced him to Themba ‘Broly’ Mabaso, further cementing his path in the industry.

Today, Dlamini runs his own tattoo parlour at Straight-Line, near the traffic lights, where he continues to grow his brand.
He has embraced modern techniques, using wireless tattoo pens that save time and electricity.

“Consistency, hard work, and believing in your intuition have brought me this far,” he said with pride.

Dlamini’s journey from drawing sketches in school to becoming a respected tattoo artist stands as proof that resilience and passion can overcome even the toughest beginnings.