Zakes Bantwini (born 26 May 1981) is a South African singer, songwriter, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of Durban Kwaito Music (DKM).
Bantwini made his mark with the 2008 debut The Good Life. He released another album, Love, Light and Music, featuring chart-topping hits such as “Clap Your Hands,” “Wasting My Time,” and “Juju.”
| Zakes Bantwini | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal Details | |
| Name: | Zakhele Madida |
| Born: | 26 May 1981 (age 44 years old) |
| Place of birth: | KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Parents: | Sihlangushile Jeffrey Khanyile (father) Nomthandazo Madida (mother) |
| Education: | Light Music |
| Alma mater: | Durban University of Technology |
| Occupation: | Singer, songwriter, businessman, music producer |
| Years active: | 2024-date |
| Genre: | Dance music, Jazz, Kwaito, Afro house, Afro tech |
| Instruments: | Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Piano |
| Labels: | Mayonie Productions Sony Music Africa Mayonie Agency IMG AEM Universal Music Group |
| Spouse: | Nandi Madida (m. 2016) |
| Children: | 5 |
Early Life
Zakes Bantwini was born on 26 May 1981 in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to Sihlangushile Jeffrey Khanyile and Nomthandazo Madida.
Education
Zakes attended Shayamoya Junior Primary School. He matriculated from Nqabakazulu High School. He obtained a national certificate in Light Music from Natal Technikon (now known as Durban University of Technology).
He graduated from Harvard Business School’s Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports (BEMS) programme. He holds a Diploma in Jazz and Music Performance from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Career
Zakes created his record label and talent management agency, Mayonie Productions, in 2004. It has a catalogue of talented musicians under its wing, such as BlaQRhythm, Kususa, Argento Dust, Nana Atta, and many others.
Madida helped launch the career of Kwaito artist Thokozani Ndlovu (later known as L’vovo Derrango) in 2005. He released his first album, “The Good Life”, in 2008, and after two years, he released the album Love, Light and Music.
The Grammy award winning artist released his single “Clap Your Hands” featuring Xolani Sithole in April 2011. He was the most nominated artist with five nominations at the SAMA17 in 2011.
Zakes Bantwini recorded his DVD in Soweto in 2012 and released the “Upfront with Zakes Bantwini” live album. He released his studio album The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible in 2013. The album was nominated in the Best Dance Album Category at the 20th SAMA Awards.
Zakes released the album Love, Light & Music 2 in June 2017. He collaborated with musician Black Coffee on the song Juju. He remixed Lauv’s single “Modern Loneliness” in 2020. He is often credited with helping establish the Durban Kwaito Music (DKM) scene.
Zakes released his song Osama in September 2021. It peaked at number one on the Radio Monitor Charts, spending ten weeks. He released his third studio album, “Ghetto King”, in December 2021. Apple Music featured him as their ‘Isigubhu’ cover star in February 2022.
In December 2023, He released his fourth studio album “The Star Is Reborn”. He worked with Karyendasoul, Drega, and Masuda on the project. He also worked with Dj Thakzin and Skye Wanda on the song “Mama Thula”.
Bantwini hosted a masterclass at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Howard College campus. He won a Grammy for his song “Bayethe” with Nomcebo Zikode and Wouter Kellerman at the 65th annual Grammy Awards ceremony. He released the single “Phezulu” with Skye Wanda in January 2026.
Personal Life
Zakes Bantwini married media personality Nandi Madida in 2016. He has two children, Shaka and Nefertiti, with his wife, and three others from outside their union. He was 14 years old when he had his first child. His daughter, Nefertiti, has been diagnosed with autism.
His mother, Nomthandazo Madida, was buried in 2007, while his father, Sihlangushile Jeffrey Khanyile, passed away on 4 January 2023.
Discography
Albums
- The Good Life (2008)
- Love, Light and Music (2010)
- Mountain Deluxe Volume 4 (2010)
- The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible (2013)
- Love, Light and Music 2 (2017)
- Bossa Paris Nights (2017)
- Ghetto King (2021)
- The Star Is Reborn (2023)
References
- Sergio Miller. “Zakes Bantwini and wife Nandi celebrate daughter Nefertiti on her 6th birthday”. Bona Magazine.
- Move. “Zakes Bantwini reveals he had his first child at 14”. News24.
- Doreen Premdev. “Zakes Bantwini hosts masterclass at UKZN”. DurbanLocal.
- Qhama Dayile. “Zakes Bantwini on Osama, the song’s lyrics and success – ‘I didn’t expect it to be received this way’”. Drum.
- Ntombi Khulu and Phelokazi Mbude. “Zakes Bantwini, a Grammy Award-winning visionary with his sights set on the horizon”. Truelove.
- Zee Dladla. “A valuable lesson from Zakes Bantwini: ‘Awards don’t make you’“. Zalebs.
- Joel Ontong. “‘A powerful statement’: Zakes Bantwini celebrates graduation from Harvard Business School”. News24.
- Natasha Archary. “Zakes Bantwini’s father passes away at 65” Kaya959.
- Constance Gaanakgomo. “I did it mom: Zakes Bantwini visits his mom’s grave with Grammy”. Timeslive.
