He is a brilliant singer, songwriter, producer and entertainment business mogul in South Africa.
He has since established a legendary status name in the entertainment industry in South Africa and he is considered to be one of the most educated musicians.
Here’s a look at Zakes Bantwini’s biography.
Zakes Bantwini Age
Zakes Bantwini Early Life
He was raised by both his parents. His father is Jeffrey Khanyile and his mother Nomthandazo Madida.
At the age of 12, Zakes Bantwini became a father, but despite his early fatherhood, he continued to finish his studies.
“They told us that if we had money to bury her now we must let her go because she was suffering. But if we did not have the money and would need to raise funds, he would put her on chemotherapy,” he reflected.
“I honour her each year because I want her legacy to live on and people to be educated about the dangers of cancer,”.
Zakes Bantwini Education
After finishing his matric studies, he enrolled at Natal Technikon – which is today popularly known as Durban University of Technology (DUT) – and he graduated with a national certificate in Light Music.
It was during his university studies that he formed a record label, Mayonie Productions.
Also read: Muzi Mthabela Exits Isibaya
Zakes Bantwini Marriage
According to a conversation that Nandi Madida had with Drum Magazine, she said:
His son, Shaka Madida was born in November 2016 and his daughter, Queen Nefertiti Madida was born in May 2019.
Zakes Bantwini Career
As a dedicated producer, he has signed one of the big names in the Kwaito industry, L’vovo Derango.
In starting Mayonie Productions, Zakes Bantwini was aiming at creating one of the giant record labels in South Africa and that worked for him. He started recording his music and created songs such as Bum Bum, Wasting My Time and Clap Your Hands.
L’vovo Derrango scooped the 2007 South African Music Awards (SAMA) for his Kwaito contributions.
That same year, L’vovo Derrango continued to collect awards and he was now recognised by the Metro FM awards, this led to an exponential growth of Mayonie Productions.
Black Coffee
It seems the two, Black Coffee and Zakes Bantwini go way back.
We’ve been friends with Black Coffee for so many years and the success of our collaboration on JUJU; we felt it was time for us to work on an album together – Zakes Bantwini
They worked on Zakes Bantwini’s hit-song, Juju.
Zakes Bantwini released his second album in 2014. The album had songs that depicted life in the township which also aired on local radio stations a lot. The song features on his album titled The Fake Book & Real Book: My Music Bible.
He has worked closely with different producers to create and give electrifying performances.
- Label: Mayonie Productions
- Label: Soulistic Music
Released: 2010
- Label: Mayonie Productions
Released: 2013
- Label: Sony Music Africa
Released: 2017
- Label: Mayonie Productions
Released: 2018
- Label: Mayonie Productions
- Also read: Riky Rick Celebrates His Wife On Their 7th Wedding Anniversary
Zakes Bantwini Awards
2010 – 16th South African Music Awards for Best Music Video of the Year, Juju (featuring Black Coffee)
2011 – 17th South African Music Awards for Record of the Year, Bum Bum
2011 – 17th South African Music Awards for Album of the Year, Love, Light and Music
2011 – 17th South African Music Awards for Male Artist of the Year, Love, Light and Music
2011 – Metro FM Awards for Best Male Award, Love, Light and Music
2011 – Chanel O Awards for Video of the Year, Love, Light and Music
Zakes Bantwini 1Goal4Cancer
Zakes Bantwini Harvard
He announced that he was accepted at the Harvard Business School to advance his musical career so that he continues being a master of his art.
Read next: Nomuzi Moozlie Mabena Biography: Age, Early Life, Education, Career, Relationship, Instagram, Awards, Controversy, Business
