Zakes Bantwini

Zakes Bantwini is Zakhele Madida, a South African singer, producer and businessman born in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, on 26 May 1981. He became a father at 14 and still finished school, then studied light music at Natal Technikon and jazz performance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

While still a student he set up his own company, Mayonie Productions, which in 2005 launched the kwaito star L’vovo Derrango. His own debut album The Good Life (2008) was followed by Love, Light and Music (2010), with the dancefloor hits “Clap Your Hands” and “Wasting My Time”. The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible (2013) earned a SAMA nomination for Best Dance Album.

“Osama” (2021), with Kasango, spent ten weeks at number one on South African radio, and his album Ghetto King followed that December. The Star Is Reborn (2023) moved into Afro tech with “Mama Thula”. He is married to the TV presenter and singer Nandi Madida.