Zakes Bantwini on the upside of failure: 'You must embrace it because it's going to teach you'

He's a Grammy Award-winning record producer, DJ, performing artist and businessman... but it hasn't always been a smooth journey for Zakes Bantwini.

Bantwini shares a story from early on in his career when he was involved in signing talent, and ended up creating a multi-million rand deficit for the company.

He says it was a valuable lesson in learning about the business of music.

"For two months I was quiet – I didn't know what was going on... I was an executive, I was an artist myself, I'd been a manager, I'd been running my label, I've been making money... and then I get to 'the system', and I realise I was doing it wrong."

A surprise call in to the show from Bantwini's former high school teacher leads him to reveal his thoughts and feelings about the meaning of 'failure'.

"You have to fail though... I think it's something that needs to happen, because winning is when you beat so many failures. It wouldn't be called 'winning' if everybody had to win – it's called 'winning' because some people have failed... and you must embrace failing because it's going to teach you."

To listen to Zakes Bantwini in conversation with Relebogile Mabotja on 702, click the audio player below: