Rasta

Background and career Rasta was born in Killarney, Zimbabwe and raised in Pumula township in Bulawayo.

His grandmother, Maisa Mhlanga, played a key role in nurturing his artistic talent from a young age, encouraging him to draw animals and flowers which she later used in handcrafted items for sale. Although his primary school, Ingwegwe Primary School, did not offer formal art education, he practiced sketching during spare time and sold his drawings to classmates and teachers. He later attended Magwegwe Secondary School, where he continued to develop his skills.

Rasta has become a fixture at public memorials and national events, often appearing with portraits of the deceased or honored figures. His paintings, while controversial and frequently criticized for perceived inaccuracies, have also won him admiration and a substantial following on social media. As of 2021, he had over 32,000 Twitter followers and described himself as “the best-rated paint artist in SA.

Rasta also unveiled a life-sized clay sculpture of himself created by Durban-based artist Dr Lungelo Gumede. Speaking at the event, Rasta described his art as “historic” and emphasized that many of his pieces were painted on-site at important national events.

The exhibition attracted large crowds, including schoolchildren, and was praised for its role in expanding public engagement with the arts. Through this exhibition, Rasta hoped to raise funds to establish an art academy aimed at teaching painting to youth as a constructive alternative to crime and substance abuse.