Pretoria. Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa is proud to announce Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Zakes Bantwini, has joined the Friend of the Brand (FOTB) program. Zakes’ vehicle for the next 12 months? The technological powerhouse that is the AMG EQS 53, Mercedes-EQ’s flagship electric car offered locally.
“Zakes and I started our journey last year with the introduction of the all-new C-Class. I knew then that we would strike up a long-term partnership with many amazing collaborations to follow,” says Alexandra Boavida, vice president of sales and marketing at Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa. “Today, we proudly welcome Zakes to the Mercedes-Benz family. We look forward to our journey together and moving South Africa forward, together.”
Says Zakes of the partnership: “Growing up in the ghetto, everyone dreams of one day driving a Mercedes-Benz. Every car that you drive along the way is just a steppingstone to one day having the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Benz. It’s therefore an honour to have joined the family and to have the opportunity to enjoy this incredible car over the next 12 months. Thank you to the brilliant team at Mercedes-Benz for welcoming me so warmly; I can’t wait to see what we can do together with this partnership!”
More on the exhilarating Mercedes-EQS range
Fusing cutting-edge technology, design, functionality and connectivity, the EQS is designed to delight both its driver and passengers. With its impressive proportions, this new flagship in the Mercedes-EQ range embodies progressive luxury and combines apparent opposites into a coherent overall concept.
In South Africa, this all-electric luxury saloon is firstly available as the EQS 450+, now featuring 265 kW and 568 Nm (245 kW and 565 Nm previously), as well as enhanced standard specification such as Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Rear Seat package, electric outer rear seats and rear wireless charging system, among others. The list price is R2,668,655.
Topping the range is the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC. It develops 484 kW and 950 Nm, and accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in a mere 3.8 seconds. The EQS 53 costs R3,418,600.
According to WLTP, the EQS 450+ has a driving range of up to 782 km, while the AMG EQS 53 reaches a maximum distance of 586 km.
All EQS models feature a five-year/100,000 km comprehensive service and maintenance plan, as well as a 10-year battery warranty and a free Wallbox domestic charger installed at a customer’s place of their choosing.
What is the Friends of the Brand program?
The long-running Friends of the Brand program connects Mercedes-Benz South Africa with brand ambassadors who are motivating pioneers, explorers and go-getters, much like the brand itself. Often, they’ve overcome barriers and in the process have set new standards in their field. The Friends of the Brand use their abilities to achieve enduring success in diverse projects.
Alongside Zakes, as well as rugby players Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am, some of the Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa Friends of the Brand include business woman Rachel Kolisi; MC and singer Anlia Etzebeth; Olympic gold medallist Tatjana Schoenmaker, renowned chefs David Higgs and Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen; entrepreneur and musician Nandi Madida; and global music phenomenon Nasty C.
