Rasta The Artist Paints Wicknell Chivayo Tribute Portrait, Mzansi and Zim React

• Rasta The Artist shared a tribute portrait of the late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, who died in a helicopter crash
• The notorious South African portrait painter paid his respects on X, but his artwork quickly drew mockery from followers
• Social media users from Zimbabwe and South Africa flooded the comments with brutal takes on Rasta's latest painting

South African artist Rasta, who has built a reputation for painting high-profile figures after their deaths, turned his brush to Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo following the latter's death in a helicopter crash. As expected, the internet had thoughts, and none of them was particularly kind about the quality of the work.

Posting on X on 8 October 2026, Rasta shared the tribute alongside the caption: "Rest in Peace @wicknellchivayo, Lucy Muteke and the rest of the crew. You will be remembered by many zoroza zwakanaka Mkoma…"

Chivayo, one of Zimbabwe's most prominent and controversial businessmen, died in the crash along with several others, leaving a stunned nation in mourning. Rasta's gesture was well-intentioned, but the portraits themselves quickly became the talking point.

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Mzansi and Zimbabwe react to the paintings

Rather than praise, the comments section filled up with jabs at Rasta's artistic ability, with many questioning whether his skills have grown at all over the years. He also attended their funerals in Zimbabwe.

The reactions spanned both sides of the Limpopo.

@Mabev90 wrote:

"I have known him for his work for over 6years; is he still a learner?"

@MrLover1988 warned:

"He must not set foot in Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 🤣🤣🙈. Mnangagwa won't take that lightly."

@GJIVANI kept it short:

"Hayi rasta better go farming 🤣🤣"

@tapsm777 offered a backhanded compliment:

"😂😂😂😂 we had missed Rasta shame … i always know his paintings are legendary 😂"

@JerryMaremo had an unexpected take:

"Now I believe they are dead"

@MdharaTheo simply wrote:

"Rasta, Rasta pleeeeease."

@FELIXNYIRENDA11 was arguably the most cutting:

"Rasta's talent is allergic to improvement 🫣 Dude, it's been long since you started painting 🖌️ but yerrrrrrr"

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Wicknell's video with his kids trends

In a previous article, Briefly News reported on a TikTok video showing Wicknell Chivayo sharing a playful moment with his children inside a Rolls-Royce.

The cute moment, filmed during what appeared to be a school run, quickly went viral.

Source: Briefly News