Grammy winner Zakes Bantwini teams up with Sting on a reimagined Afro house version of the global hit ‘Desert Rose’
By Bulelwa Hoala
South African Grammy Award-winning artist and producer Zakes Bantwini, real name Zakhele Madida, has joined forces with British musician Sting on a remix of his iconic track, Desert Rose.
Madida’s remix forms part of a trilogy of Desert Rose (Reimagined) releases, which dropped on Friday, 3 April 2026. The project also features versions by American-based DJs Tamer Malki and Rami Abousabe, as well as South African DJ Darque, real name Molapo Malatji.
“It’s one of the biggest songs in Sting’s catalogue, and I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to work with him or reimagine something so central to his legacy.
“It is one of the greatest honours of my career, after winning a Grammy, to be trusted with this moment. I’m deeply grateful to everyone involved,” Zakes said.
Listen to the track here:
First released in 1999, Sting’s Desert Rose featured legendary Algerian vocalist Cheb Mami and is widely regarded as one of the most iconic crossover hits of all time.
In this reimagining, Zakes infuses the track with a deep, rhythmic Afro house pulse that reflects the spirit of Africa, while preserving the essence of the original.
His interpretation places African dance music firmly on the global stage, while still honouring the legacy of the original track.
For the KwaMashu-born music mogul, the remix reflects his ongoing mission to inspire African creatives, proving that local producers can be curators of the global soundscape.
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