More than a decade after I Deserve became one of South Africa’s defining love songs, Donald remains one of the country’s most respected vocalists. While many artists have chased every new sound to stay relevant, the singer-songwriter has quietly built a career on one principle: make music that moves the soul first.
Speaking to TheJournalistDJ.Com on the sidelines of the Summer 32 nominees event, Donald reflected on the era that transformed his life, the resurgence of soulful house music, artificial intelligence in music, and why fans should prepare for his busiest release schedule yet.
The Era That Changed Everything
For many fans, Donald’s breakthrough began with I Deserve in 2011, a song that perfectly blended heartfelt R&B songwriting with South Africa’s booming house music movement.
Looking back, he describes those years as nothing short of magical.
“House music was at its peak. Zakes Bantwini was on fire, Liquideep was on fire, Mi Casa was on fire and Donald was on fire. It was such a great time for music.”
While the production leaned heavily into house music, Donald says he approached the genre differently.
“I sold the whole thing like an R&B artist,” he explains. “The stories, the music videos, the emotions… people connected with that.”
That emotional approach helped separate him from the pack, creating songs that have remained timeless long after radio trends changed.
More importantly, he says, that period completely transformed his life.
“I’m the guy that I am today because of that moment. People respect me, people love me, and I feel that love every single day.”
House Music Is Coming Home Again
As South African house music experiences another wave of popularity, particularly through deep house and vocal-driven productions, Donald believes the genre is returning to what made it special in the first place: beautiful songwriting.
“I think house music is exactly in that space all over again,” he says.
Rather than focusing only on dance-floor energy, today’s producers are once again placing strong emphasis on melodies and meaningful lyrics.
Donald singled out vocalist Brendan Praise as one of the artists carrying that torch.
“He’s writing amazing lyrics and beautiful melodies on incredible house beats.”
For Donald, preserving house music isn’t simply about nostalgia, it’s about protecting a cultural asset that helped define modern South African music.
“House music is a huge part of South African culture. We need to preserve it because that music lasts forever.”
Quantity Meets Quality
Fans who have been wondering why Donald has been flooding social media with visualisers and new content won’t have to wait much longer.
The singer revealed that he’s entering one of the busiest creative periods of his career.
“I’m working on a lot,” he says.
Unlike previous years where artists focused primarily on releasing polished albums every few years, Donald says today’s industry demands consistency.
“It’s no longer just about quality, it’s also about quantity.”
His immediate plans include a five-track Afro-soul and R&B EP filled with slow-burning love songs before switching gears completely.
After that?
A vocal house EP.
“I can sing on any beat,” he says confidently. “Between now and December, expect a lot of music.”
AI Isn’t the Enemy
As artificial intelligence continues to divide opinion across the global music industry, Donald takes a measured view.
Rather than seeing AI as something musicians should fear, he views it as another tool—much like Auto-Tune or digital recording software before it.
“Every 10 or 20 years something new comes into the music industry,” he says.
“The important thing isn’t the tool itself. It’s how we use it.”
Donald believes technology should enhance creativity rather than replace it.
“We just need to use our tools with dignity.”
It’s a perspective that reflects the calm confidence of an artist who has already survived multiple shifts in the music industry over the past 15 years.
He Doesn’t Chase Genres—He Chases Emotion
From Afro-soul to house, Amapiano and now potentially Afro Tech, Donald has never allowed genre labels to dictate his creativity.
Asked whether he’ll jump onto the rapidly growing Afro Tech movement, his answer was refreshingly simple.
“I don’t plan that,” he laughs.
Instead, inspiration decides everything.
“If I hear a beat that moves my soul, then I jump on it.”
For Donald, collaboration has never been about following trends.
It’s about following feeling.
“You never really know with me. Anything can happen.”
The Red Mic Returns
Another exciting revelation during the interview was the possible return of one of Donald’s most memorable live experiences.
The singer confirmed that plans are underway to celebrate ten years of the Red Mic Experience at the very venue where it all began—Carnival City.
While stopping short of making an official announcement, he hinted that something special is being prepared for fans.
“The plan is to do a 10-year celebration… we’re working on something.”
Still One of South Africa’s Finest Storytellers
Fifteen years into his journey, Donald’s greatest strength hasn’t changed.
It isn’t just his unmistakable voice.
It isn’t his chart-topping records.
It’s his ability to make listeners believe every word he sings.
Whether backed by a house beat, an Afro-soul arrangement, or whatever genre comes next, Donald remains committed to one thing above everything else: telling honest stories through music.
And judging by everything he has planned for the months ahead, that story is far from over.
