A meaningful collaboration of two iconic local artists, that has been decades in the making
Music plays an integral role in our diverse cultures; it’s part of our heritage. Our history is marked with struggle songs, songs of celebration or elation, sorrow and joy. Sung storytelling, protest or gospel, it’s in our DNA. “But it is in the township where music really lives.”
So says Zakes Bantwini, award-winning musician and songwriter, on the making of Where You Are, an anthem that has been curated to bring people together, in culture and in communities across South Africa. Two worldclass artistic powerhouses, Zakes Bantwini and Zolani Mahola have joined creative forces to craft an original song that celebrates collaboration, hope and community. But more than that, it offers our country’s people a melody of belonging, a way to say; ‘we see you, and we meet you where you are.’
A fusion of Afro House, Dance, Afro Tech and Folk, Where You Are combines the rhythmic and soulful sounds of Zakes and Zolani, weaving in moments of saxophone, brass instruments and African percussion, as is the music of rural Mzansi.
Spanning across five of our national languages, the track also seeks to uplift. “As South African’s we are often overlooked and undervalued, yet we can be unstoppable,” says Zakes. “We wanted to create something that was made for all of us, in a way that resonates individually.” The bridge intentionally speaks to a nostalgic nursery rhyme saying “Right in your corner, where you are…”
‘Busuku nemini (Day and night)
Nanini nanini (Wherever, whenever)
Komkhulu nomncinci (Old and young)
Just wanna be where you are‘
Symbolic and powerful in their own right, Zakes and Zolani are no strangers to authentic collaborations. Zolani co-wrote and performed alongside Shakira in the 2010 Soccer World Cup anthem of Waka Waka, and Zakes’ Grammy win with Nomcebo Zikode and Walter Kellerman for Bayethe gave recognition to truly African music on a global scale.
As with any piece of great artistry, seldom does it happen in isolation. The inspiration for Where You Are stemmed from an idea between creative agency, Grid Worldwide, and fintech, Lesaka Technologies, whose brand values are all about being a human-first company, and being in-step with customers, merchants and communities, meeting them where they are.
“The idea of Where You Are gave Zakes and me a reason to create something bigger than a song,” says Zolani. “It became an anthem about belonging. About recognising one another, celebrating what we can create together, and reminding South Africans that wherever you are, you have a place in this country and in its story.”
Where You Are. Now streaming on all major platforms. Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal and Amazon Music.
