# Zakes Bantwini

Zakhele Madida (born 26 May 1981 in KwaMashu F-section, KwaZulu-Natal), known professionally as Zakes Bantwini, is a South African singer, record producer and businessman.

## Early life

Zakhele Madida was born and raised in KwaMashu F-section in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. He went to Shayamoya Junior Primary School and later attended Nqabakazulu High School. At the age of 14 years, he had his first child. Despite facing the challenges of being a teenage father, he still went on to finishing his matric. After matriculating, he went on to study at Natal Technikon (now known as Durban University of Technology) where he received a national certificate in Light Music. This is also where he formed his own record label - called Mayonie Productions - while completing his final year. Madida received a diploma in Jazz and Music Performance after completing his studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. He also studied a Social Entrepreneurship Programme at Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria.

## Career
### 2011–2016: The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible

In April 2011, his single "Clap Your Hands" was released, featuring Xolani Sithole.
In 2013, Madida released his studio album The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible. The following year, the album was nominated in the Best Dance Album Category at the 20th SAMA Awards. On 23 June 2017, he released the album Love, Light & Music 2.
In 2020, Bantwini remixed Lauv's single "Modern Loneliness".

### 2021–present: Ghetto King and The Star Is Reborn

At a Kunye Event, his single "Osama" with Kasango was teased. The song was scheduled to be released on 17 September 2021. On September 2, 2021, it was reported that the release date of "Osama" would be rescheduled to 10 September 2021. The song peaked at number one on Radio Monitor Charts and spent 10 weeks on it. In late 2021, he headlined to Miss South Africa 2021.
In early December 2021, Zakes' third studio album Ghetto King was released worldwide. The album was met with positive reviews from music critics. It features Khetha, BlaQRhythm, DeeTheGeneral, Drega, Karyendasoul, Mthunzi, Nana Atta, Nomkhosi, Skillz, and Skye Wanda.
In early February 2022, Apple Music featured Zakes as their 'Isigubhu' cover star.
The Star Is Reborn, Zakes fourth studio album, was released in December 2023. On The Star is Reborn, Bantwini worked with Karyendasoul, Drega, Masuda resulting in a genre-spanning record that incorporated electronic dance music styles and afro tech.
It was supported by the lead single "Mama Thula" featuring Skye Wanda, Thakzin, Drega, and Suffocate SA.

## Business ventures

In 2004, he established Mayonie Productions, which is known for music such as "Bum Bum", "Wasting My Time" and "Clap Your Hands".
Madida released his debut album The Good Life in 2008. Two years later, he released the album Love, Light and Music, which included songs like "Clap Your Hands" and "Wasting My Time".

### L'vovo Derrango

In 2005, Madida helped launch the career of Kwaito artist Thokozani Ndlovu, who was later known by his stage name L'vovo Derrango. Under Mayonie Productions, Derrango released his debut album which was self-titled (Lvovo Derrango). The album gained him recognition as he was nominated at the SAMA Awards for the Best Kwaito Album. In 2007, he won the Best Kwaito and Song of the Year award at the MetroFM awards.

## Personal life

Madida has three children from previous relationships and two with his wife Nandi Madida (formerly Nandi Mngoma).

## Discography
### Albums

| Title | Album details |
| The Good Life | Released: 2008 Label: Mayonie Productions Formats: Digital download |
| Love, Light and Music | Released: 2010 Label: Mayonie Productions X, Soulistic Music Formats: Digital download |
| Mountain Deluxe Volume 4 | Released: 2010 Label: Mayonie Productions Formats: Digital download |
| The Fake Book and Real Book: My Music Bible | Released: 2013 Label: Mayonie Productions Formats: Digital download |
| Love, Light and Music 2 | Released: 2017 Label: Mayonie Productions Formats: Digital download |
| Bossa Paris Nights | Released: 2018 Label: Mayonie Productions Formats: Digital download |
| Ghetto King | Released: 3 December 2021 Label: Mayonie Productions, Paradise Sound System Formats: Digital download, streaming |
| The Star Is Reborn | Released: 8 December 2023 Label: Mayonie Productions, Universal Formats: Digital download, streaming |

### Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Certifications | Album |
| "Osama" (with Kasango) | 2021 | 1 | RISA: 4× Platinum | Ghetto King |
| "Asanda" (with Kususa and Argento Dust) | 2022 | — | RISA: Platinum | Ubomi |
| "Jeteme" (with Kekelingo and Mpho.Wav) | 2023 | — | | Pula |
| "Mama Thula" (with Skye Wanda, Thakzin and Suffocate SA) | 2023 | — | | The Star Is Reborn |
| "Love Generation (Reimagined)" (Bob Sinclar, & Friends, Zakes Bantwini, Gary Pine) | 2024 | — | | Non-album single |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |||||

### Other charted songs

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name :
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | ZA | Album |
| "Girl in the Mirror" (featuring Skye Wanda) | 2021 | 61 | Ghetto King |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award Ceremony | Prize | Recipient/Nominated work | Result |
| 2010 | 16th South African Music Awards | Best Music Video of the Year | Juju (featuring Black Coffee) | Nominated |
| 2011 | 17th South African Music Awards | Record of the Year | Bum Bum | Nominated |
| 2011 | 17th South African Music Awards | Album of the Year | Love, Light and Music | Nominated |
| 2011 | 17th South African Music Awards | Male Artist of the Year | Love, Light and Music | Nominated |
| 2011 | Metro FM Awards | Best Male Award | Love, Light and Music | Won |
| 2011 | Chanel O Awards | Video of the Year | "Wasting My Time" | Won |
| 2022 | DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards | Favourite music artist/group | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards | Favourite Song | "Osama" | Nominated |
| 2022 | South African Music Awards | Best Dance Album | Ghetto King | Nominated |
| 2022 | South African Music Awards | Album of the Year | Ghetto King | Nominated |
| 2022 | South African Music Awards | Best Engineered Album of the Year | Ghetto King | Nominated |
| 2022 | South African Music Awards | Male Artist of the Year | Ghetto King | Nominated |
| 2022 | South African Music Awards | Best Collaboration | "Osama" | Won |
| 2022 | South African Music Awards | Best Collaboration | "Imali" (Karyendasoul & Zakes Bantwini featuring Nana Atta) | Nominated |
| 2022 | South African Music Awards | SAMRO Highest Airplay Composers | "Osama" | Won |
| 2022 | Mzansi Kwaito House Music Awards | Best House Artist | | Pending |
| 2022 | Mzansi Kwaito House Music Awards | Best House Single | | Pending |
| 2022 | Mzansi Kwaito House Music Awards | Most Voted Song | "Osama" | Pending |
| 2022 | Mzansi Kwaito House Music Awards | Best Music Video | | Pending |
| 2022 | All Africa Music Awards | Best Artist, Duo or Group in African Electro | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | All Africa Music Awards | Best African DJ | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | All Africa Music Awards | Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | Grammy Awards | Best Global Performance | "Bayethe" (Nomcebo Zikode, Wouter Kellerman, and Zakes Bantwini) | Won |
| 2023 | Metro FM Awards | Best House Song | "Asanda" (Kususa, Argento Dust & Zakes Bantwini) | Nominated |
| 2023 | SAMA | International Achievement | Himself | Won |
| 2024 | GQ Best Dressed Awards | Best Dressed Couple | Himself | Won |