Pencil artwork on Solly Moholo's tombstone took a day to complete

12 October 2024 - 07:05 By Bulelani Nonyukela
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Solly Moholo's gravestone is the work of artist Oscar Dlamini from Katlehong.
Solly Moholo's gravestone is the work of artist Oscar Dlamini from Katlehong.
Image: Supplied

The late gospel singer Solly Moholo's tombstone is a work of art done by self-taught visual artist and tombstone designer Oscar Dlamini.

, Dlamini, 38, from Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, said he has been a professional artist since 2008. He was inspired by a Russian artist Leo but taught himself to draw at the age of nine. His artworks appear on the gravestones of renowned celebrities such as Vuyo Mbuli, Bujo Mujo, Simba Mhere and Scara Ngobese.

He was approached by the owner of Mankweng Tombstones in Soshanguve to work on Moholo's gravestone.“It took me the whole day [to complete] because it was a big A0 size photo,” he told TimesLIVE.

Dlamini uses an electric engraver pencil to sketch the subject's image.

Solly Moholo's tombstone. He will be laid to rest on Saturday.
Solly Moholo's tombstone. He will be laid to rest on Saturday.
Image: Supplied

Moholo died on October 2 in hospital after a short illness at the age of 65. He will be buried on Saturday.

His funeral service will take place at Akasia Hall in Pretoria and he will be laid to rest in Zandfontein Cemetery in Tshwane.

Oscar Dlamini uses an electric pencil to draw Moholo..
Oscar Dlamini uses an electric pencil to draw Moholo..
Image: Sipplied.

Oscar's other work:

A portrait of former minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Jeff Radebe.
A portrait of former minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Jeff Radebe.
Image: Instagram
Oscar with a Simba Mhere portrait he made.
Oscar with a Simba Mhere portrait he made.
Image: Instagram

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