South African portrait and memorial artist Oscar Dlamini surprised Fast & Furious actor Sung Kang with a portrait he painted of the actor.
Kang is currently in South Africa for the Gas Motorshow International 2026, taking place in Durban this weekend.
Earlier this week, Dlamini handed the portrait to the American movie star, who appeared impressed in a video that has since circulated on social media.
Promoting SA talent
Speaking to The Citizen, Dlamini said it was important for him to present the portrait to the actor in person.
“I just wanted him to realise the love we have for him as a movie star and to see the talents we have here in SA,” he said.
Dlamini has produced portraits of several local celebrities, including Connie Ferguson, Zakes Bantwini, and Cassper Nyovest.
He said that while he does not always receive payment for his work, the portraits also serve as a way to promote his business.
“The portraits I do [are] also a way for me to market myself here in SA and overseas. So some people pay, others promote my work so that I can get customers,” he said.
“People really love my work, and I mostly get clients who buy tombstones from me,” he added.
Preserving memories through art
Dlamini is the co-founder of Manyano Memorials, a tombstone manufacturing and design company established in 2016 together with former journalist Themba Makamo.
He has worked as a professional artist since 2008, specialising in pencil drawings, granite portraits and memorial design.
Through his work, Dlamini has produced memorial portraits for several well-known South Africans, including Vuyo Mbuli, Scara Ngobese, Simba Mhere, Solly Moholo, SD Gumbi and Mpura.
Dlamini says his focus is on preserving memories through art and ensuring that legacies endure beyond death.
