ZAKES BANTWINI JOINS GLOBAL ELITE: GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ARTIST COMPLETES PRESTIGIOUS HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL PROGRAM
Grammy Award-winning artist, visionary producer, and cultural entrepreneur Zakes Bantwini has officially graduated the Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports (BEMS) executive education at the globally renowned Harvard Business School a milestone that positions him among an elite class of creative industry leaders shaping the future of global entertainment.
This prestigious executive education program, hosted in Boston, USA, is designed for top-tier professionals across entertainment, media, and sports who are redefining the business of culture. It brings together a curated cohort of global icons, CEOs, and changemakers to engage in transformative leadership development under the guidance of Harvard’s world-class faculty.
Originally selected for the program in 2020, Bantwini’s attendance was postponed following the global shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a testament to his unwavering pursuit of excellence, he reapplied and was once again accepted, an honour reserved for the most distinguished and forward-thinking professionals in the industry.
Zakes Bantwini at Harvard Business School | SUPPLIED
His participation marks a significant milestone not only in his personal journey but for South Africa’s presence on the world stage. As a pioneer of the African creative renaissance, Bantwini continues to expand his influence far beyond music, serving as a bridge between African innovation and global opportunity.
“Completing this program 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,” said Bantwini.
With this credential, Zakes Bantwini enters a rarefied space joining a global league of entertainment executives, producers, athletes, and artists who are not only shaping culture but redefining the business frameworks behind it.
This chapter adds to an already remarkable career that includes a GRAMMY win, platinum records, and pioneering contributions to the African music landscape. With the knowledge and networks gained at Harvard, Bantwini is poised to further uplift the African creative economy and forge new pathways for global collaboration through the programmes hosted at the Zakes Bantwini foundation, which will include a sports division as well as a business of music programme designed to propel the industry forward.