Categories: South Africa
| On 5 years ago

Ras the funeral painter strikes again at HHP memorial service

By Kaunda Selisho

South African funeral artist Lebani Sirenje has once again set social media ablaze following the release of images of his painting of the recently deceased Jabulani ‘HHP’ Tsbamo.

HHP’s memorial service is currently underway at Bassline in Newtown and Sirenje is on site, as he usually is to immortalize the rapper in a painting.

Sirenje, who is also popularly known as Rasta or Ras has previously painted the likes of Mama Winnie Mandela, Akhumzi Jezile, Joe Mafela, Dumi Masilela, Hugh Masekela and more during their memorial services.

He has also angered social media users with his works which are often said to look nothing like the people he is claiming to paint.

Sirenje’s presence at Tsambo’s memorial has revived the popular questions about who keeps hiring him to do this and who his most recent painting resembles.

Some of Sirenje’s most popular and controversial works include portraits of Mama Winnie, Akhumzi Jezile, and Dumi Masilela.

A portrait of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela painted by artist Lebani Sirenje outside her house, April 10 2018. Picture: Tracy Lee Stark
A portrait of Akhumzi Jezile painted by artist Lebani Sirenje | Image: Twitter
A portrait of Dumi Masilela painted by artist Lebani Sirenje | Image: Twitter
A portrait of Joe Mafela painted by artist Lebani Sirenje | Image: Twitter
A portrait of Nelson Mandela painted by artist Lebani Sirenje | Image: Twitter
A portrait of ProKid painted by artist Lebani Sirenje | Image: Twitter
A portrait of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela painted by artist Lebani Sirenje | Image: Twitter



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Read more on these topics: Eish!Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP)Jabulani Tsambo