South African musician Zakes Bantwini has capped off a phenomenal year by clinching yet another award – this time the 2022 Musician of the Year accolade at GQ’s Men of the Year Awards held this past weekend.
This follows his Grammy nomination, alongside Wouter Kellerman and Nomcebo Zikode, for Bayethe in the Best Global Music Performance category earlier this year. He also won his first South African Music Award for Osama, a collaboration with Kasango.
The talented artiste also won an award for Best Viral Hit at the South African Social Media Awards (SASMAs) held in November.
Zakes Bantwini named GQ Musician of the Year 2022
Bantwini was unable to attend the GQ awards because of a prior commitment, but his wife Nandi Madida claimed the award on his behalf.
“Thank you to GQ for recognising me as Musician of the Year,” says Bantwini. “It feels so special to have been able to achieve such a feat twenty years into my career.
“I’m filled with so much gratitude and joy at what my team and I have been able to achieve this year. Now we’re looking forward to the All Africa Music Awards and the Grammys next year. We aren’t done yet!”
Sibo Mhlungu, Bantwini’s manager and business partner, adds, “GQ is an aspirational platform that’s known as a benchmark for quality and class.
“To be recognised on this platform is once again a reminder that we’re doing something right internally. Big shout out to our team at IMG Africa and everyone who’s been supporting us this year. We’re proud to be closing off the year so strongly and excited for what 2023 has in store.”