Ndihamba nawe, Mafikizolo tells MTN

Multiple-award winning Afro-pop sensation, Mafikizolo, has given new meaning to its hit single: Ndihamba nawe, following the announcement that the group is MTN's new brand ambassador.

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.

Kgosinkwe and Nciza'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 - Kgosinkwe emulating R Kelly while Nciza imitated Aaliyah.