Zakes Bantwini graduates from Harvard Business School

Hosted in Boston, US, the BEMS programme is tailored for senior professionals from the entertainment, media, and sports sectors who are redefining the business of culture. It brings together an elite cohort of global icons, CEOs, and innovators for a transformative leadership development experience guided by Harvard’s distinguished faculty.

Bantwini was originally selected for the programme in 2020, but his participation was delayed due to the global shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to excellence, he reapplied and was reaccepted, a distinction reserved for the most outstanding and forward-thinking professionals in the industry.

His successful completion of the programme marks a significant personal milestone and a symbolic victory for South Africa’s creative presence on the global stage. Widely regarded as a pioneer of the African creative renaissance, Bantwini has continuously expanded his influence beyond music, serving as a bridge between African innovation and international opportunities.

“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 said.

With this credential, he joins a select group of global executives, producers, athletes, and artists who are not only shaping culture but also revolutionising the business models that underpin it.

This new chapter builds on Bantwini’s already illustrious career, which includes a Grammy Award, multiple platinum-selling records, and ground-breaking contributions to the evolution of African music. Armed with the knowledge and international networks gained at Harvard, Bantwini is set to scale up his impact through initiatives run by the Zakes Bantwini Foundation.

The foundation is set to launch new programmes, including a sports division and a business of music curriculum, aimed at equipping the next generation of creatives with the tools to succeed in an increasingly globalised industry.

Bantwini’s achievement is not only a personal triumph but a testament to the growing global recognition of African talent in the creative economy.