Soweto Ink brings body modification and alternative culture to the South
Founded by Sibusiso Dlamini and Ndumiso Ramate, Soweto Ink is one of the very few black-owned tattoo parlours based in the heart of one of the most iconic townships in the country.
For their upcoming fourth Tattoo Convention, Soweto-based tattoo collective Soweto Ink has pulled off a major coup. They have snagged a partnership with BET Africa to elevate the experience at their one-of-a-kind event set to take place on 30 November.
Founded by Sibusiso Dlamini and Ndumiso Ramate, Soweto Ink is one of the very few black-owned tattoo parlours based in the heart of one of the most iconic townships in the country.
They have been in the business of body art for more than a decade with a client base ranging from the likes of Burna Boy, Prince KayBee, Priddy Ugly and Gigi Lamayne to the ordinary South African looking to get some ink.
Because of this unique positioning, the pair are set on building an empire based on a culture considered taboo in some black communities.
Ramate recently sat down with us to unpack the Soweto Ink philosophy and give us a better understanding of the upcoming fourth annual Soweto Ink Tattoo Convention.
“The event appeals to a very diverse market and people that are creatives, if I may put it that way. People who are often linked to the entertainment space” begins Ramate.
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Due to the fact that there is nothing else like this event, the organisers pride themselves on the fact that they have put together the biggest African tattoo culture and lifestyle event for people that either subscribe to what they call an alternative lifestyle or are curious about it.
Whether you’re there to get inked or not, you can enjoy a wide number of things to do an see such as live performances, tattoo stalls featuring local & International visitors, art stalls, variety Stalls, food trucks and a Beer Garden.
According to Ramate, the primary aim of their event is to empower local tattoo shop and artists of all races and backgrounds. As such, there will also be seminars for the pros and aspiring pros on a range of topics that will prove beneficial to their career.
Another one of the ways in which they will be helping tattoo artists is through a competition that will be hosted during the convention in which artists will be judged on their artworks by a panel of judges. Winners will take home bragging rights and a trophy while attendees stand to win something in the bike giveaway.
“The idea came to me from one of my business partners. His name is Sbu… It was an idea that we sat and thought about when we went into the industry. It wasn’t as big as it is now. I wouldn’t even say it’s that big right now but it’s slowly opening up,” he explained.
“It was an industry where if you wanted a tattoo you would have had to go to the north or you got exposed to back-room, not-so-professional spaces and all of that,” he added.
“Then we sat and looked at what they do internationally… because the tattoo industry here, I would say in Africa, is about 10 years behind when compared to the international industry. So we said ‘look, what are we not doing that people would appreciate and get into?’”
And so, Soweto Ink Tattoo Convention was born.
Admittedly, the turn out in the first year was poor but Ramate chalked that up to a lack of public awareness about the event. From the second year, however, it really picked up resulting in their being able to secure a media partner in the form of BET Africa.
The fourth annual Soweto Ink Tattoo Convention will be taking place at GOG Lifestyle Gardens in Soweto.
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