Zakes Bantwini and Zolani Mahola have presented their joint track 'Where You Are,' a significant collaboration between two renowned local artists that has been in development for decades. Music plays an integral role in diverse cultures, serving as part of a heritage that includes songs about struggle, celebration, joy, and sorrow.
Zakes Bantwini, a musician and songwriter, noted that 'music truly lives in the townships.' 'Where You Are' was created as an anthem intended to unite people across cultures and communities throughout South Africa. The two distinguished creative figures, Zakes Bantwini and Zolani Mahola, joined forces to create an original song that celebrates collaboration, hope, and community, offering the nation a melody of belonging.
The track is a fusion of Afro House, Dance, Afro Tech, and Folk styles, blending the rhythmic and soulful sounds of Zakes and Zolani with moments of saxophone, brass instruments, and African percussion characteristic of rural Mzansi. The song incorporates five national languages of South Africa and aims to inspire.
Zakes emphasized that as South Africans, they are often underestimated, yet can be invincible. He added, 'We wanted to create something that would suit all of us, so that it resonates individually.' A nostalgic children's song with the phrase 'Right in your corner, where you are…' was intentionally used in the bridge.
Symbolic and powerful, Zakes and Zolani have experience in authentic collaborations. Zolani participated in writing and performing the Waka Waka anthem at the 2010 FIFA World Cup alongside Shakira, and Zakes' Grammy win with Nomcebo Zikode and Walter Kellerman for Bayethe brought attention to authentic African music on the global stage.
The idea for 'Where You Are' originated from a partnership between the creative agency Grid Worldwide and the fintech company Lesaka Technologies, whose values are based on customer focus and community closeness. Zolani explained that the idea led them to create something greater than just a song, transforming it into an anthem of belonging and mutual recognition.