Two of South Africa’s respected voices in entertainment have lit a fire under local artists — and they are not sugar-coating a thing.
Donald and Sol Phenduka have taken to social media to call out what they see as a growing problem in the local music scene: artists who show up on stage but don’t actually perform.
Radio host, DJ and cultural commentator Sol Phenduka fired the second shot, criticising performers who treat gigs like casual appearances instead of musical showcases.
“Performers these days, it’s as if they booked for an appearance. They don’t perform their songs. They MC on their songs,” Sol wrote.
“Don’t ask us why ‘singalali emakhaya’. Just sing your song. We came to see you sing your song.”
The post struck a nerve, echoing a long-standing frustration among fans who pay for tickets only to be met with half-sung lyrics, crowd-led choruses, and artists shouting ad-libs over backing tracks.
Singer and hitmaker Donald started the sentiment with a more reflective but equally pointed message aimed at up-and-coming artists.
“Young South African artist. Please work on your live performances like your life depends on it,” Donald advised.
“One day you won’t have the hottest song in the street and your live performance will carry you through.”
Together, the two posts paint a sobering picture of an industry leaning too heavily on viral hits, trends and hype — while neglecting the fundamentals of stagecraft, vocals and audience connection.
Industry insiders have long warned that as the local scene becomes more crowded, live performance quality will be the true separator between fleeting fame and long-term careers. Donald’s message, in particular, highlights a hard truth: hits fade, but reputation sticks.
Sol’s blunt delivery, meanwhile, reflects what many fans whisper after festivals and club nights — that some artists rely too much on DJs, backing tracks and audience participation to mask weak live ability.
In an era where artists are competing for global stages, brand partnerships and international bookings, the message from Donald and Sol is clear: talent alone is not enough — you must be able to perform under pressure, without excuses.
