Bantwanas, meaning “Children of Africa,” is a South African electronic music collective bringing together producers, vocalists, songwriters and live musicians to create a sophisticated fusion of Afro-house, organic house, electronic music and traditional African instrumentation.
Formed in 2016, the collective was developed around producers Blanka Mazimela and Ryan Murgatroyd, with a vision to take authentic African sounds into the international electronic music space. Rather than relying purely on electronic production, Bantwanas incorporates live vocals, percussion, guitar, piano and indigenous African musical elements, creating a sound that is both contemporary and deeply connected to African musical heritage.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Bantwanas have developed a significant presence within the international organic and Afro-house scene, releasing music through respected electronic labels including Anjunadeep, All Day I Dream, Cercle Records and their own Bantwanas Kollektiv imprint.
Their Anjunadeep debut “Dingane” received support from internationally recognised artists and tastemakers including Black Coffee and Nick Warren, as well as BBC Radio 1’s Sian Eleri.
The collective followed this with releases including the Kora EP, which featured acclaimed South African multi-instrumentalist Pops Mohamed, alongside vocalist Sobantwana. Their catalogue also includes tracks such as “Ngithanda” featuring Samthing Soweto, “Izolo,” “Mama,” “Akanayo,” “Bazovuya,” “Musa” and “In Silence.”
Their music has attracted remixers and collaborators from the international electronic scene, while Bantwanas’ distinctive combination of organic African instrumentation and electronic production has helped position the collective within the global Organic Afro-House movement.
MAMA & CERCLE
In 2024, Bantwanas released “Mama,” a deeply emotive production subsequently included on Cercle Records’ Cercle Moments – Cosmos project. The track demonstrated the more soulful and cinematic side of the collective’s sound while maintaining its African electronic identity.
Bantwanas remain active recording artists. Their more recent releases include “Akanayo” and its remixes, followed by “Ulibambe Lingashoni” in September 2025.
LIVE PERFORMANCE
Where Bantwanas really differentiates itself is in the live environment.
The project was conceived as more than a DJ act. Its format has incorporated multiple vocalists and live musicians, including drums, guitar and piano, alongside electronic production. This allows Bantwanas to translate the energy of Afro-house into a more theatrical and authentically live African performance.
Their music combines big African percussion, hypnotic electronic grooves, soulful vocals and melodic live instrumentation, creating a performance that can build from sophisticated atmospheric sounds into an energetic dance-floor experience.
Bantwanas are particularly suited to **premium corporate events, destination events, luxury hospitality, festivals, gala evenings, fashion and lifestyle events, launches and international events requiring a contemporary
