Latest news with #ZakesBantwini
IOL News
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Nandi Madida celebrates 100 episodes of Africa Now Radio and reflects on her journey in music and motherhood
Since 2023, Nandi has led a sonic tour across Africa, interviewing the biggest and best acts, and shining a spotlight on the superstars making waves both on the continent and around the world. Image: Supplied/Rageinc Productions For the past two years, Nandi Madida has hosted Africa Now Radio on Apple Music 1, and on June 20, she reached the 100th episode mark. Apple Music celebrated the milestone by surprising the 'Black Is King' actress with an intimate dinner. Instead of a normal dinner with her Apple Music bosses, Madida was greeted with her husband Zakes Bantwini's face and select media. "It feels like such an honour," beamed after receiving a 100-rose bouquet in celebration. Previous Africa Now Radio hosts include Nigerian DJ and musician DJ Cuppy, Nigerian presenter Dadaboy Ehiz and South African presenter Luthando 'LootLove' Shosha. "To be honest, the time has flown by because it's been so much fun. I've simply been a voice for what has already been happening. This is Africa's natural trajectory,' she shared in our interview. 'It's seamless because the musicians are so incredibly talented at what they do. I just get to represent this amazing movement." Instead of a normal dinner with her Apple Music bosses, Madida was greeted with her husband Zakes Bantwini's face and select media. Image: Supplied/ Rageinc Productions Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Africa to the World wave, she says, is no longer a dream; it's a reality. "It's happening. The world is looking to us, this beautiful continent, the cradle of humankind and music. 'Of course, the world had to come back here, to see how we do this music thing. It's amazing that Africa is now the benchmark.' On Africa Now Radio, Madida has interviewed some of Africa's biggest stars, Afrobeats star Oxlade, South African amapiano DJ and producer DBN Gogo and Nigerian rapper ODUMODUBLVCK to name a few. Reflecting on the state of Afro music today, she urged young creatives to think beyond trends and commercial appeal. "Afro music is its entity, it deserves to be viewed as more than just another commercial genre or podcast soundtrack. 'My whole career has been about that. I've always gravitated towards creating new ways, paving new roads for the next generation. I want people, especially young ones, to know they can do things differently and still succeed. 'There's a quote I love: 'Who was she and what did she do? She was herself and she did it all.' That's what I want to stand for. I've enjoyed a unique, beautiful career simply by trusting my gut and following my own path." These days, Madida's life is filled with motherhood, podcasting, and intentional living. But fans have noticed a quiet pause in her music and acting projects. Her husband, Grammy award-winning musician Zakes Bantwini, was quick to correct her when she spoke of her music career in the past tense. 'I've been so honoured to do music, to act. My husband often reminds me, 'No, no, you're still doing music, even if it's in-house.' 'It's great to have a partner who supports me fully, especially in a society where we're still unlearning certain patriarchal ideas. He believes in me doing it all.' Her husband is her biggest cheerleader. In his toast to his wife, Zakes Bantwini reflected on seeing his wife lose out on deals because she would not change her views on certain issues, such as her natural hair. @thislove_k Nandi Madida was celebrated by Apple Music for her 100th episode of Africa Now Radio on Apple Music 1. Her husband Zakes Bantwini had nothing but praise for all the effort his wife puts into her show and her pride in being African ♬ original sound - Oluthando Keteyi
News24
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Nomcebo Zikode quietly welcomes a baby and teases new music
Vocalist Nomcebo Zikode is now a mom of three. She prioritises her selfcare by praying, going to the gym and cooking with her family. Nomcebo chose to keep her pregnancy from the public eye to protect her peace. _____________________________________________________________________ Nomcebo Zikode's family just got bigger! The Grammy Award-winning Jerusalema vocalist has just given birth to a healthy baby boy and is putting her efforts into focusing on her newborn and spending time with her two older children and husband. 'I am so happy. It's as if this is my first child whatsoever, my first baby,' Nomcebo gushes to TRUELOVE. Many are familiar with Nomcebo folk hits and soulful vocals that have since resonated with South Africa and the world at large, earning her a Grammy Award in 2023 for her vocals on Zakes Bantwini and Wouter Kellerman's Bayethe. But she is intentional about protecting her and her family's peace through the highs and lows of being in the spotlight. She takes us through how she prioritises her selfcare. 'I am a praying woman, I pray a lot. Not really a lot, but I do take God very seriously. I know that in everything, I need to put God first. And also I do go to the gym because I understand that exercising will help me with so many things, like health-wise, also, with my mind.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nomcebo Zikode (@nomcebo_zikode) On how she chooses to spend time with her family, Nomcebo tells us, 'I always try by all means to have time with my family, even though sometimes I'm just forced to be outside the country for the longest time, but whenever I'm at home, I'll try by all means to maybe cook for them. 'Even though we do go out but I think it's more beautiful when maybe I'm together with them in the kitchen, I'm cooking for them.' The iZono Zami hitmaker is focused on her growing family, especially after dealing with a trying few months in the spotlight with the highly publicised court case against Open Mic Productions for unpaid royalties for her contributions to Jerusalema. Through it all, Nomcebo is intentional about putting her family first and protecting hers and their peace. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nomcebo Zikode (@nomcebo_zikode) Nomcebo shares, 'Now that I'm in the industry, I've noticed that sometimes you put things out there because you are trying to be genuine. But sometimes people will use that against you one day. So, I don't know whether I should say I'm private about it because it's not like I have a problem for people to know I've got a little one now. 'But also the way I see social media ... sometimes you put something out there thinking that you are doing the right thing and there's nothing to hide, you are pregnant or whatsoever. But sometimes silly people will just use that against you. So, I don't know whether I should say I'm keeping it private or what, but I just chose that, let me just keep it for myself, this is for me.' The 39-year-old singer still has plans to release new music, 'Even though there's some few things that I need to sort out,' Nomcebo reveals. While Nomcebo is keeping her cards close to her chest when it comes to future collaborations, she promises soulful tunes 'from the heart'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nomcebo Zikode (@nomcebo_zikode)
News24
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
‘A powerful statement': Zakes Bantwini celebrates graduation from Harvard Business School
Grammy Award-winning musician Zakes Bantwini has been celebrating his graduation from Harvard Business School's Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports (BEMS) programme. The Boston executive education programme is geared toward working professionals across a range of disciplines. 'Completing this programme at Harvard is more than a personal achievement; it's a powerful statement about where African creatives belong in every global conversation, in every boardroom, and at every table where the future is being shaped,' Bantwini wrote on social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zakes Bantwini (@zakesbantwini) He also posted about the programme earlier this month, writing on his X account, 'Feels good to be a student again.' Bantwini was originally selected for the program in 2020, but his attendance was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He later reapplied and went forward with the programme. The producer previously won a Grammy for his 2022 song Bayethe with Nomcebo Zikode and Wouter Kellerman. He previously told News24 that he hopes to use his platform to elevate other South African artists and give them more exposure. 'I don't work with big names. I only work with talent. But if talent is a big name, then it's beautiful,' he said. He also hopes to win even more Grammys for South Africa. 'I'll probably die with five Grammys on my name,' he said.
IOL News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Zakes Bantwini celebrates graduation from Harvard Business School
South African singer and record producer Zakes Bantwini is celebrating an educational milestone. Grammy award-winning South African musician Zakes Bantwini has completed an educational program at Harvard Business School. Taking to Instagram, Bantwini celebrated his achievement of completing The Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports course at the top business school. The 'Osama' hitmaker reflected how completing the milestone was a bucket list item, ticked off his list. 'Completing this executive education program at Harvard Business School is more than a personal achievement, it's a powerful statement about where African creatives belong, in every global conversation, in every boardroom, and at every table where the future is being shaped,' he captioned a series of pictures.
The Herald
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald
Zakes Bantwini gets his qualification at Harvard Business School
Congratulations are in order for Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini who is celebrating his graduation from the prestigious Harvard Business School. Zakes, whose real name is Zakhele Madida, is known for his songs such as Osama, Imali and Clap Your Hands . He completed his studies at Harvard Business School in the business of entertainment, media and sport. The KwaMashu-born singer shared on his X account: 'Completing this executive education programme at Harvard Business School is more than a personal achievement. It's a powerful statement about where African creatives belong in every global conversation, every boardroom and at every table where the future is being shaped. Bucket list checked. #harvardbusinessschool #bems2025 ".
