Multiple-award
winning Afro-pop sensation, Mafikizolo, has given new meaning to their hit
single: Ndihamba nawe, following the
announcement that they are MTN’s new brand ambassadors.
The duo, Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza, shot to fame after they released their iconic album
self-titled Mafikizolo in 1997. Eight albums later, the group has won the
hearts and minds of millions of music fans in South Africa and beyond.
Larry
Annetts, MTN South Africa Chief Marketing Officer, says
both MTN and Mafikizolo share similar attributes of being cutting edge and
synonymous with innovation in their respective fields.
“Both
brands are household names, have a continental footprint, have introduced
exciting products into the market. We are proud of this partnership and believe
that both brands share synergies they can leverage for the benefit of their
customers,” says Annetts.
Adds
Nciza: “Mafikizolo has aspirations of conquering the world and putting South
African music on the map. These ambitions resonate with MTN’s vision. The
partnership with MTN was an instinctive and logical progression of our careers
and we strongly believe that this is the beginning of great things for both brands.”
“I started working with Mafikizolo in Nigeria and
I was instrumental in engineering their hit single, Tchelete. I was humbled and
impressed when the Khona track took the country by storm and I guess it was
their fast-paced west African beat that made it huge in Lagos,” says Annets.
MTN invested millions into the music market where a big track can rake in R1
million from downloads, with the artist taking 60%.
“Similar to MTN
South Africa, Mafikizolo rose to prominence in the late 1990s. Through their
music they have spiced up the lives of millions of their fans. Similarly, MTN
also pioneered affordable communication to millions of South Africans. I am
confident that through this partnership we will be able to reinforce our
connection with our customers who have grown to associate Mafikizolo’s melodic
tunes to the carefree spirit and new-found pride brought about by the new
political dispensation,” concludes Annetts
Mafikizolo won Best
Group and Song of the Year for Khona featuring Uhuru at the MTV Africa Music
Awards (Mamas). They are also nominated for the Best International Act: Africa
category at the BET Awards.
Theo and Nhlanhla’s
paths crossed as they frequented their local talent show circuit. They both
started off their music careers when they mimed R&B hits at the time – Theo
emulating R Kelly while Nhlanhla imitated Aaliyah.
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