By Zuko Komisa
Multi-award-winning South African singer, record producer, academic and businessman Zakhele ‘Zakes Bantwini’ Madida sat down with Proverb on the Winner’s Circle as Champion of The Week; where he shared his journey and exciting milestone in his life.
Image: Instagram
Celebrating milestones
Zakes recently celebrated two monumental milestones; his 40th birthday with the announcement of his acceptance to study at Harvard Business School and 10 years since his 4 times SAMA Award-nominated album Love, Light & Music which dropped in 2010.
His wisdom on the Pursuit of Knowledge
Zakes encourages everyone who wishes to pursue any path to spend time learning more about it. This he says is what has kept his career going in the South African music industry through lessons he has learned.
“…for me to be able to survive this is how I have to set up my business, this is how I need to set up myself, this is the kind of artist I need to be. You learn that purely on looking at other people’s mistakes…”
“I had my fair share of pushing demos myself, and it didn’t happen. I have an email signature that says when I stopped putting the faith of my dreams in another man’s hands I started living. That’s what happened.” he says.
Listen to the full conversation here:
Image: Supplied
What does the future hold
He plans on launching an international dance label, ALL ELECTRONIC MUSIC, and has a mystery project that he is working on that will be unveiled in July. Zakes encourages all South Africans to look beyond what they are currently doing to find ways to make this country a better place.
“There a lot that we can do in SA and I challenge everyone, I think it’s about time we get together, not to collaborate on a song, but to collaborate in music. Make moves that will always take care of the arts.”
