Zakes Bantwini credits Hlaudi Motsoeneng for shift in local radio

Grammy Award-winning musician Zakes Bantwini believes South African artists should recognise the part former SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng played in reshaping local radio, IOL reported.

Bantwini made the remarks at a recent media roundtable, where he was asked what structural changes radio stations must make so that local music quotas are properly supported and not just tolerated. The Osama hitmaker described his answer as an unpopular opinion.

The 90% quota and what it changed

Motsoeneng became a controversial figure in South African broadcasting, particularly after the introduction of a 90% local music quota on the public broadcaster’s radio stations. The policy was later scrapped, but Bantwini says its effect should not be overlooked.

He said many stations sounded very American before the quota. Even though it was dropped, he argued, it offered “proof of concept that South Africa can listen to its own music”. In his words: “Today, South Africa sounds like South Africa.”

Local music as an economic issue

Bantwini said the debate over quotas should go beyond what listeners like to hear. He argued that South African music should be treated as an industry that supports the economy and creates jobs, and not only as entertainment.

According to him, one musician’s success benefits many other people. He listed producers, dancers, lawyers, accountants, stylists and publicists. When radio stations give local music more airtime, he believes, they also help sustain the wider creative economy.

Advice for aspiring musicians

Bantwini also used the discussion to urge emerging artists to take their careers seriously by learning both the creative and the business sides of music. He stressed three points:

• Get an education.
• Learn what radio requires.
• Understand how the industry works.

He also advised young musicians to get legal advice before signing any contract, so that their interests are protected. He noted that business decisions in the industry can have long-term consequences.

For upcoming artists, his message is practical: knowing how radio and contracts work can matter as much as the music. For listeners, the debate is a reminder that the airtime local songs receive affects more than the artists whose names are on the tracks.

This story is based on reporting by IOL.