Jacket turns heads: Cape kid’s jas tribute of Somizi’s parents

It’s not every day that an unknown designer gets to clothe a celebrity, so when this Nyanga graphic designer got the chance, he grabbed it with both hands.

Somizi Mhlongo took to Instagram this week to thank 22-year-old Olwethu Patuleni for a kwaai designer denim jacket which features the faces of the TV star’s late mom and dad.

Somizi said he had initially wanted to wear the jacket to his mom’s funeral, but due to the lockdown, he knew it would arrive too late.

“I will probably wear this once and then frame it,” he said.

Somizi first took notice of Olwethu when the designer drew a portrait of his mom and posted it on social media.

“When I saw a painting of my mom on Twitter by this young man I was immediately drawn to it and that is when I had an idea of him making a portrait of my parents on a denim jacket,” the star said.

Somizi’s personal assistant tracked Olwethu down and the youngster says: “When I received the call, I was excited, but I first had to confirm that it was indeed Somizi’s personal assistant.

“When I did, I went to the Waterfront to buy the jacket.”

View this post on Instagram

So when I saw a painting of my mom on twitter by this young man @olwethudahandsome ines immediately drawn to it......and that's when I had an idea of him making a portrait of my parents on a denim jacket. I'm initially i wanted to wear it at my mom's funeral but because he is based in cape town time was not on our side.....but I still insisted that he makes it.....through the help of my PA @iam_sphekay he was able to track him and found him and gave him the brief.....oh boy did he deliver......when the parcel arrived today I was wondering why is it in a big box kanti this sweet talented young man added an actual framed portrait of my mom and as a surprise gift...coz I only paid for the jacket and the drawing on it.....thank u young man and may all yo dreams come true.....I'm probably gonna wear this once and frame it as well....ANDIHAMBI NDODWA.......MSHEFI AND MAMPINGA GOT MY BACK

A post shared by Somizi(@somizi) on Jul 14, 2020 at 8:44am PDT

He says it took him just four hours to finish the jacket.

The talented third-year student says it was not easy to convince his parents to allow him to do graphic design.

Olwethu Patuleni with portrait

“My parents sent me to a science school because they wanted me to become a doctor,” says Olwethu.

“My mother would have been so proud.

“After the project I did for Somizi, my family members started recognising my work.”

 Somizi with the gift

Somizi said the box was unusually heavy.

“I was wondering why it was heavy; the sweet, talented young man added an actual framed portrait of my mom as a surprise gift because I only paid for the jacket and the drawing on it.”

Celebrities like Pabi Moloi have commented, saying the jacket was a beautiful work of art.

Olwethu says he hopes this will open doors for him.

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