By: Natasha Archary

Grammy-award winning artist, Zakes Bantwini used his 43rd birthday bash to call on Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa to do more for the SA entertainment industry.
The Osama hitmaker, whose real name is Zakhele Madida, told Kodwa that apart from artists, the country as a whole is frustrated with the lack of cohesion between, sports, arts and music.
As reported by TimesLive, Bantwini addressed the Minister, at his exclusive party in Sandton on Friday, 23 June.
“We are frustrated as a country. We’re looking up to you. Our people voted for you to lead us. We really need your guidance and support for us to address every issue we are faced with in the country. Because, we have no other home, this is our home.
We have lived here and we are going to die here.
We know you just assumed the position of arts and culture, and we believe sports, arts and culture are the only answer to brining people together.
Social cohesion and change come with sports, music, and arts.
Every other portfolio comes after, but your are the unifier.”
Zakes Bantwini calls on Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Zizi Kodwa to do more for the entertainment industry
Bantwini’s plea to Kodwa echoes the frustrations of other South African artists who suffered under the strain of the Covid-19 pandemic, when then Minister Nathi Mthethwa failed to address the concerns of the entertainment industry.
Mthethwa was demoted from Cabinet in 2023, when Zizi Kodwa took over the position.
In response, Kodwa said he looks up to the award-winning artist who is proof that if you follow your dreams, anything is possible.
“I grew up in a township, and when it gets darker, the brighter the stars. When I saw you over the past few years, you became this Zakhele, and I got inspired that if you follow your dreams, anything is possible. South Africa is a country where we can all achieve our dreams.”
Zizi Kodwa
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