Lebani has become renowned for paying tribute to late political figures and famous personalities through his canvas at their memorial or funeral services.
As pictures of Lebani’s unfinished portrait of Akhumzi emerged on Twitter, fans harshly criticised him.
Celebrity funeral artist Lebani Sirenje has come under fire once again, this time for his depiction of TV personality Akhumzi Jezile. Fans ripped the portrait to shreds, saying it was not an accurate reflection of Akhumzi and did not do the ‘larger than life’ personality justice.
It has been a sensitively -charged afternoon as those close to Akhumzi assembled at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg to admire his life.
This is not the initial time that Lebani has faced fierce reaction over his paintings. Last month Lebani’s depiction of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela also caused an outcry on social media.
Lebani has done portraits of former president Nelson Mandela‚ Albertina Sisulu‚ gospel stars Lundi Tyamara, Sfiso Ncwane and Mandoza, to name a few.
I'm a visual artist myself and theres no excuse of saying painting is hard thats not Akhumzi at all,dude must take his time to perfect this potrait.— SV_McCutler (@SV_McTrap) May 3, 2018
#AkhumziJezileMemorial Akhumzi seems high on something kanti what's wrong with this painter? pic.twitter.com/LvWVGO7bbI— Karabo_ST_Tsotetsi (@KaraboThae) May 3, 2018
That's not Akhumzi eh https://t.co/CitGcuSRsL— D.Mash (@DewayneSwaggy) May 3, 2018
Hayi asi- Akhumzi lo! https://t.co/cf7ER7dDN1— Queen Dracula (@queen_dracula) May 3, 2018
When is the Ras gonna admit that he's just not cut out for this thing….. I agree this looks like Eugene from Trompies than #Akhumzi hai maan hei😂😂😂🚶🙆 https://t.co/Q3Pd8uvfGS— The Oracle (@Khaswi_) May 3, 2018
— BlacksAreSmart 🌹 (@OviistoDeyi) May 3, 2018
Lol soo looking like a freshman Tata not our brother Akhumzi for sure😂 https://t.co/zepQHAHPVM— #Rickman (@Ntlacya) May 3, 2018
Why does Akhumzi look like Nelson Mandela here ? pic.twitter.com/VIEoXYwrNh— † (@_Thato_N) May 3, 2018
Akhumzi, who was killed in a head-on collision along with Siyasanga Kobese, Thobani Mseleni, and two others, will be laid to rest on Saturday at Westpark Cemetery after a funeral service at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg.
Akhumzi’s life was celebrated at an emotional memorial service on Thursday night where family, friends, and colleagues paid tribute to him.
From listening to the speaker at the service, and in the wake of the TV star’s death, it is clear that he savored life to the fullest, he touched the lives of many people, and he had unwavering faith in God.
Source: Times Live
