Rasta The Artist’s Dolly Parton Portrait Divides Mzansi: “Why Did You Draw Khanyi Mbau?”
- Rasta The Artist shared a painted tribute to late country music icon Dolly Parton, who died on 25 August 2026 aged 80
- The South African artist posted the portrait on X, drawing a wave of reactions from followers across Mzansi and beyond
- Some fans mocked the likeness while others surprisingly praised Rasta for showing improvement in his signature style
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Source: UGC
South African portrait artist Rasta The Artist has paid tribute to late country music legend Dolly Parton with a painted memorial portrait shared on X on Monday, 31 August 2026.
Parton passed away on 25 August 2026 at the age of 80 in Nashville, Tennessee, after a brief battle with cancer. She had been hospitalised at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center on 21 August 2026, and her death was announced the same day by her nephew, Bryan Seaver. The global icon was celebrated worldwide for her decades-long contribution to music, philanthropy, and entertainment.
Rasta, who is well known for painting celebrity tributes that divide opinion on social media, captioned his post:
"Farewell to our Global icon and humanitarian Dolly Parton. Thank you for your great contribution to music and entertainment."
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See Rasta The Artist's tribute portrait of Dolly Parton below:
Mzansi reacts to Rasta's Dolly Parton portrait
As is tradition whenever Rasta drops a new painting, the comments section quickly became a battleground between critics and unexpected admirers. While some took aim at the likeness, others noted that the artist may be showing genuine signs of improvement.
@XCarmineGalante wrote:
"Why did you draw Khanyi Mbau and name her Dolly Parton?"
@BrianMason57060 was blunt in his assessment:
"This is disrespect 🤞🏾🤞🏾😔 I don't care if he's on drugs or whatever but these drawings are unacceptable."
@NkosilathiMlal6 saw something entirely different in the work:
"3rd frame looks like the drawings of the woman of bible times. No. That's Mary Magdalene."
@VINCENTMabula1 chimed in with his own comparison:
"She looks more like Madonna."
@Chuwe_Tavada3 offered a nod to Rasta's consistency:
"Frame 2 Rasta looks more like his drawings."
Not everyone was there to mock, though. @boyzinsuicide offered rare praise:
"Dude actually has gotten better!"
@dubaizimbo seemed genuinely impressed:
"You getting better with age ..... Second frame is world class."
@LegalAssist5 quipped with characteristic Mzansi humour:
"You wise Rasta. Hard luck, you ain't going nowhere this time."
Source: Twitter
Rasta the Artist apologises for Inkosi Yamagcokama portrait
Rasta The Artist’s Dolly Parton tribute is unlikely to end the debate surrounding his signature style anytime soon.
Briefly News previously reported that the painter faced similar criticism before, including backlash over his portrait of late Maskandi musician Scebi “Inkosi Yamagcokama” Dlamini.
Rasta addressed the controversy, insisting that he never intended to disrespect the Dlamini family through his painting of the late musician.
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Source: Briefly News
