Swazi Observer

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DANIEL DLAMINI HONOURS THABO MBEKI WITH PORTRAIT

By Nokwanda Nsibandze | 2022-06-23

FINE artist Daniel Dlamini recently painted a portrait of South Africa’s Former President Thabo Mbeki in celebration of his 80th birthday.

The portrait was presented to Mbeki during his Gala Dinner held at Sandton, South Africa last Saturday.

Dlamini said he was excited for his work to be celebrated in such a manner.
He said he was approached by the Mbeki family after seeing his work.

“I was approached by the family, they said they had seen my work before and liked it. They asked me to make this for him and I am happy that they were happy with it,” Dlamini added.
“I focus on the history of Africa and I love telling African stories so anything and everything that will inform the next generation I am always happy to do,” he said.

He said he paints in dots without sketching which made his paintings different.
“My responsibility as an artist is to contribute something meaningful to the world,” he said.
He said although he had to make a portrait which was slightly different from what he was used to.

Dlamini said painting a portrait was however less emotional as it was a copy and paste job.
“When painting a portrait, I paint what I see. However when painting something inspired, it requires one to be in tune with their emotions,” he said.

Dlamini is currently showcasing his work in South Africa.
Hid exhibition is dubbed ‘Prayers of Africa’.

He also does sculptures through his own ground casting technique using molten steel frame scrap metal and molten glass from bottles and general paper mashe miniatures telling the great African stories from pre-colonial to date.

He has also done many other famous faces including ones of Patrice Motsepe, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Mdura to mention a few.

He is currently working on constructing his own African museum with the aim of telling the African stories in an African perspective by a Patriotic African stories reviving self-esteem, self-love, self-respect and promoting humanity and peace amongst ourselves as Africans as we continue upholding our own African.

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