Zakes Bantwini, the renowned artist whose real name is Zakhele Madida, is currently mourning the loss of his father, Sihlangusihle Jeffrey Khanyile. His wife, Nandi Madida, joined him in paying tribute to his late father, who passed away unexpectedly last week.
On Monday morning, the talented musician, known for hits like “Osama,” shared the heartbreaking news that his father had suddenly passed away. Zakes revealed that his father had passed away at the age of 65 on the evening of January 4th, at his homestead in eNkandla, which is located in the north of KwaZulu-Natal.
Zakes Bantwini is married to media personality Nandi Madida, who also shared her heartfelt thoughts about her late father-in-law. They published a joint statement expressing their sorrow, which read: “We are devastated by the loss of our father. We will miss his sense of humor, his resilience, and how he always made sure we follow our culture. He will be deeply missed for his kindness and loving nature.”
Nandi Madida added her own words, saying, “I am eternally grateful for the kindness you showed me as your daughter-in-law; you truly made me feel like your daughter in love. You had a wicked sense of humor that we will miss dearly; thank you for making me feel like family and welcoming me so warmly. You are with your creator now.”
She continued with a message of sympathy for her husband and the family during this challenging time. Khanyile is survived by his wife and nine children, and the family has requested privacy as they mourn their loss.
Condolences poured in for Zakes Bantwini, with DJ Tira, actress Thando Thabethe, and international DJ Diplo among those offering their support. Zakes also shared an old video featuring himself and his father, capturing a moment of laughter and shared joy.
In addition to this personal loss, Zakes Bantwini recently achieved a significant professional milestone by earning his first Grammy Award nomination for his work in the Best Global Music Performance category with the track “Bayethe.”