South Africa’s Amapiano sensation Robot Boii is swapping dance floors for lecture halls as he headlines the #BangeneWithAxe University Orientation Week Tour (O-Week), delivering a powerful message of self-belief and authenticity to thousands of students.
The multi-talented artist and dancer, known for chart-topping hits like ‘Salary Salary‘ and ‘Phakathi Inside‘ with Kabza De Small, is using his ‘clean and relatable’ personal brand to ignite confidence in the next generation, urging them to embrace their unique talents and ‘keep it real’.
Robot Boii’s O-Week mission: confidence over comparison
The #BangeneWithAxe tour, a dynamic fusion of live music, motivational speaking, and interactive student experiences, has quickly become a highlight of the 2025 orientation season. First launched at the University of Pretoria on Tuesday, February 4, the tour traveled to Wits University on Thursday, February 6, before captivating students at the Stellenbosch University on Tuesday, February 11; the last leg of the tour is slated for Thursday, February 13 at the University of Cape Town (UCT) on Thursday, February 13.
Designed to inspire and engage first-year students, the tour blends electrifying performances with practical guidance, fostering creativity and connection during this pivotal campus transition.
Robot Boii, whose real name is Mzwakhe Mbuli (Jnr) has emerged as the face of the campaign, sharing his journey from Soweto streets to stardom while dismantling the pressures of conformity.
His core message?
“Confidence, staying true to yourself, and keeping it real,” Robot Boii told NOWinSA. “Every young person has a seed of talent inside them. Inspiration is what waters that seed and helps it grow into something extraordinary.
Why #BangeneWithAxe resonates with students
The tour’s title #BangeneWithAxe—loosely translated as “to enter” or, more precisely, “enter them”—carries a broader rallying cry message of “it’s your time.”
This phrase implores young people to step into their power with confidence and courage, rejecting passivity to become active architects of their futures.
The campaign’s ethos aligns seamlessly with both Robot Boii and AXE message of self-belief, urging students to seize opportunities rather than linger on life’s sidelines.
The bigger picture: music meets mentorship
The #BangeneWithAxe tour isn’t just orientation hype—it’s a visionary blend of music, mentorship, and mental health advocacy. Research underscores this approach: a 2023 PubMed study found that mental well-being directly nurtures self-confidence and self-efficacy – the cornerstones of career resilience. By integrating career motivation, goal-setting strategies, and tools to overcome self-doubt, the tour not only indirectly addresses South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis – where 45.5% of individuals aged 15 to 34 are jobless – but also directly tackles the escalating mental health challenges prevalent among this demographic.
“Robot Boii speaks our language,” said Wits University O-Week attendee Sipho Mabena. “He didn’t just perform; he made us believe our dreams are valid, whether we’re studying engineering or trying to make it in music.”
