Johannesburg, South Africa — 19 June 2025 South African Grammy Award-winning artist, cultural entrepreneur, and visionary, Zakes Bantwini, has officially graduated from the prestigious Business of Entertainment, Media and Sports (BEMS) executive education program at Harvard Business School. This remarkable achievement cements his place among an elite circle of global leaders shaping the future of creative industries worldwide.
Hosted at Harvard’s historic campus in Boston, USA, the BEMS program is an intensive leadership experience designed for senior executives and trailblazers in entertainment, media, and sports. The program draws icons, innovators, and CEOs from around the globe, offering cutting-edge insights from Harvard’s distinguished faculty. Participants emerge equipped to lead cultural enterprises at the highest levels of influence.
“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,”
Zakes Bantwini
With this milestone, Bantwini joins an exclusive group of international executives, cultural icons, and artists redefining how entertainment and media intersect with business and society. His participation cements his role as a global tastemaker, committed to pushing the boundaries of creative entrepreneurship.
A New Chapter for the Zakes Bantwini Foundation
Equipped with cutting-edge business acumen and a powerful network, Bantwini now turns his focus to uplifting the African creative economy. The Zakes Bantwini Foundation will soon launch bold new initiatives, including:
- A dedicated sports division to nurture African talent in athletics,
- A Business of Music program aimed at equipping emerging artists with tools for sustainable careers and global partnerships.
From earning platinum plaques to winning international awards, Bantwini has consistently fused artistry with impact. His latest achievement at Harvard reinforces his mission to empower African creatives to take their rightful place on the world stage—and to shape the future of global culture.
