Zakes Bantwini Expands Mayonie Productions Global Reach
The musician is scaling his production company to keep the financial benefits of African music within the continent.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Music — General
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Zakes Bantwini is expanding Mayonie Productions to bolster African ownership in the music industry. The artist is also partnering with Wits Business School to develop a professional talent representation programme.
Why it matters
Bantwini aims to ensure the long-term financial benefits of African music stay within African-owned companies. He identifies a critical lack of trained professionals like managers, lawyers, and publicists in the local music industry.
Mayonie Productions recently hosted a showcase at Het West-Indisch Huis during the Amsterdam Dance Event. The expansion strategy follows Bantwini's completion of the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports programme at Harvard Business School.
The players
Zakes Bantwini
He is a South African musician and producer who recently completed the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports programme at Harvard Business School.
Mayonie Productions
This is an entertainment company that is currently transitioning to a strategy-based roadmap to increase African ownership in the music industry.
Wits Business School
This is a prominent South African academic institution partnering with Zakes Bantwini to develop an executive talent representation programme.
Corona Studios
This entity produced the eight-minute documentary titled Golden Hour which features the life and career of Zakes Bantwini.
The details
Bantwini is transitioning Mayonie Productions from dream-based expansion to a strategy-based roadmap to better compete internationally. His efforts include the upcoming Mayonie Open Air Festival and participating in the Corona Sunsets Summer Tour.
Timeline
23 October 2026: Mayonie Productions hosted a showcase at the Amsterdam Dance Event.
21 November 2026: Corona Sunsets Summer Tour performance in Pretoria.
29 November 2026: Mayonie Open Air Festival in Johannesburg.
12 December 2026: Corona Sunsets Summer Tour performance in Manyana.
19 December 2026: Corona Sunsets Summer Tour performance in Ballito.
Industry Dynamics
The expansion follows the artist's training in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports programme at Harvard Business School. This shift represents a broader trend of African artists moving toward institutional management to challenge traditional global music industry structures.
Fans can purchase tickets for the upcoming Mayonie Open Air Festival starting at R250. Additionally, audiences can view the eight-minute documentary Golden Hour, which provides insight into the artist's creative process and business philosophy.
The takeaway
Zakes Bantwini demonstrates that formal business education can be a powerful tool for artists looking to retain ownership of their intellectual property. Aspiring creators should focus on building professional networks and administrative structures to ensure long-term sustainability.
Further reading
Find more updates on the local scene in our Music — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IOL.
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