KFC partners with Zakes Bantwini and Mafikizolo to collaborate on its unique Birthday Anthem ‘Masonwabe’ to celebrate 50 years in Mzansi

2021 will certainly be a year to remember for KFC as Mzansi’s favourite fast-food brand celebrates 50 years of ‘It’s Finger Lickin’ Good’... The loved brand has been spreading their feel-good celebration vibes all year and as celebrations peak, KFC has big plans to celebrate with the people who make KFC, KFC - The KFC family. In time for Ke Dezemba vibes KFC has launched their bespoke Birthday Anthem collaboration, ‘Masonwabe’, produced by chart-topper Zakes Bantwini featuring vocals by the legendary Mafikizolo and the song itself was created especially for and by the KFC team members nationwide. After all, what’s a birthday celebration without a song?

KFC asked their 35 000 plus team members, across SA to share their own personal inspirations about what KFC means to them and hundreds of submissions flooded in. The songwriters, Zakes Bantwini and Theo Kgosinkwe of Mafikizolo used the lyric submissions from the over 970 KFC restaurants across the country to compile the lyrics of the ‘Masonwabe’, meaning ‘Let’s be happy'. The lyrics aim to embrace the common feelings about KFC that came through from the team submissions; the profound feeling of being happy together, a place to call home, a place of growth, acceptance, and a family.

On producing the song Zakes Bantwini said, “KFC has been a part of Mzansi family celebrations for decades, bringing happiness and hope to the table for so many. To have been a part of their big 50th celebrations has been a career milestone for me, and I am proud to have worked on this iconic partnership. I dream of this song being sung in homes and sports stadiums across SA.”

To ensure the heart and soul of the KFC team passion was represented in the celebratory music video, KFC also asked team members to audition for a chance to feature alongside the popular artists in the official music video. From across the country, hundreds of audition videos flooded in as team members showed that serving up the Finger Lickin’ Good’ KFC meals was certainly not their only talent. Ten of KFC’s All-Star performers were selected to help bring the Feel-Good KFC passion to the music video.

KFC Marketing Director Suhayl Limbada said: “Turning 50 in South Africa means so much to us at KFC, but more than anything, it’s an opportunity for KFC to thank those who have made the iconic brand what it is today; our team members who have helped serve up our ‘Finger Lickin’ Good’ Original Recipe meals for over 5 decades. We hope the ‘Masonwabe’ song is a worthy expression of our gratitude to our KFC family, both those serving Mzansi in our restaurants and to our fans.”

As an ode to the KFC team members, ‘Masonwabe’ was launched to the nationwide team this December, and KFC is now sharing the song with the country in the hopes to uplift spirits this December and remind South Africans, like the song says, “It’s been 50 years and we’re still here. We know who we are, because of where we’ve been. Let’s celebrate and be happy.” Check it out here.  Fans are joining the #KFCTurns50 celebrations as they flood to the social media platform TikTok to celebrate to Masonwabe - the Colonel’s Way - in South Africa and Africa’s first 3D Branded Effect Hashtag challenge.  TikTok fans can join the celebration here. #KFCTurns50

Here’s to 50 more years of ‘It’s Finger Lickin’ Good’.

About KFC

KFC has been in South Africa for 50 years and has over 970 restaurants across the country. The first KFC restaurant to open in South Africa was in 1971 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg. KFC’s Original Recipe® Chicken was first made by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1940 when he perfected his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices at his restaurant in Kentucky. Today, KFC is the world's most popular chicken restaurant, still preparing our chicken with the Colonel’s secret recipe to his exact standards. Every KFC restaurant follows the same global processes and procedures to make sure that our customers get great tasting food, every time.

KFC Birthday Music Video: https://youtu.be/p9edU-btOjY
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Distributed by Thandeka Nonyane PR Consultant from Bonfire Media on behalf of KFC SA

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