Zakes Bantwini says young people should dream big

Grammy award-winning artist Zakes Bantwini has told hundreds of people who turned out to welcome him back home at the King Shaka International Airport, north of Durban, that young people need to dream big.

He also appeals to the government to support the creative industry.

#sabcnews Scenes awaiting the Grammy award winning artist Zakes Bantwini at the King Shaka International Airport. Bantwini is coming home and other artists have organized his homecoming. pic.twitter.com/lcgr2ZawhF

— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) February 16, 2023

Bantwini, Wouter Kellerman and Nomcebo Zikode recently walked away with a coveted Grammy Award in the best global music performance category for their hit song, ‘Bayethe’.

Bantwini says the sky is the limit for young people.

“If you thought that dreaming was a waste of time I am living proof you got to dream so big that people laugh at you. Can you imagine, I am from KwaMashu and you tell people I want to win a Grammy one day, its a laughable joke but you have to be able to do that since we do not have capital the only thing that you have in your mind and what you can think of and once you think of something that you want, anything else, if you think about it every day, believes me you going to find people who are going to take you there of winning this big rock which is a Grammy.”

Meanwhile, local artists who turned out to celebrate Bantwini’s arrival back in South Africa, say they are excited about his biggest award to date.

#sabcnews Bantwini is welcomed by eThekwini municipality mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, Deputy Zandile Myeni and other artists. pic.twitter.com/L1vruKvzxu

— Nonkululeko Hlophe (@Leko3) February 16, 2023

Mbusi Sokhela or DJ Sox says the Bantwini’s achievement is a huge recognition for the country’s music industry.

“Look, we are so excited … It’s a great win for South Africa, it’s a big win for KZN, it’s a big win for Durban. We are so proud of Zakes. I think it’s important to send a message that where ever you are in South Africa just do music in your corner be it if you are in Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth or Cape Town gone are the days when everybody had to go to Johannesburg, music should come from all over the country.”