South African DJ and producer De Mthuda, celebrated for his popular Amapiano tracks, faced a disappointing moment at the 30th South African Music Awards (SAMAs) when he was unexpectedly cut from his scheduled performance. Despite arriving on time and prepared to debut his new hit “Diwa Kae” live, the event’s production team filmed the performance without him, leaving De Mthuda waiting outside.
De Mthuda, whose real name is Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza, was reportedly invited by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) and Sjula D Productions to perform his latest release featuring notable collaborators such as Kabza De Small, Young Stunna, McKenzie, MKeyz, and Mthunzi. This would have marked the first live performance of “Diwa Kae,” a track anticipated by fans and positioned as a summer anthem.
In a statement released by De Mthuda’s management team to ZiMoja, his manager, Thabiso Khati, explained the situation, stating, “SAMAs fumbled De Mthuda’s performance of his new summer anthem ‘Diwa Kae.’” According to Khati, De Mthuda’s fans were eagerly awaiting this performance, yet a significant production oversight led to his exclusion. Khati expressed frustration, stating, “Despite arriving on time and being ready, De Mthuda was left waiting for over an hour. He was eventually asked to wait in his car with the assurance that someone would fetch him when it was time to perform, as no artist waiting area had been provided.”
To his team’s shock, the production team proceeded to film the segment without him, showcasing only the featured artists and leaving De Mthuda entirely out of his own performance. Khati questioned the decision, saying, “How do you package a De Mthuda performance without him on stage?” Although the production company has since issued an apology, they have declined to re-record the performance to include De Mthuda.
De Mthuda’s team is reportedly exploring their options to address the mishap. For De Mthuda, known for his precision and dedication to his craft, the exclusion from his own performance not only disappointed him but also let down fans who were excited to witness his debut of “Diwa Kae.”
