Donald Urges Young Artists to Prioritise Live Performances Over Hit Songs

Award-winning South African musician Donald Moatshe, widely known as Donald, is making waves in Mzansi’s music industry after sharing candid advice for aspiring artists. In a post on X, he emphasised that hit songs are temporary, but strong live performances are what sustain an artist’s career over the long term.

Addressing young musicians directly, Donald stressed that stage presence should be treated as a vital skill, not an afterthought. “Young South African artist. Please work on your live performances like your life depends on it… one day you won’t have the hottest song in the street, and your live performance will carry you through,” he wrote.

The post quickly resonated with fans and industry professionals, sparking a wider conversation about the state of live shows in South Africa. Many agreed that while the country produces hitmakers, the quality of live performances often falls short.

Podcaster Penuel praised Donald for highlighting a long-term career strategy. He noted that Afrikaner musicians offer a strong example of sustainability through live engagements, performing consistently in churches, schools, town halls and small-town festivals. “Great advice. Studying Afrikaner artists will help a lot. They build sustainable careers performing live consistently,” Penuel said.

Fans also weighed in, sharing frustrations about paying high ticket prices for performances that fail to deliver. One social media user commented: “Some artists really struggle to perform live, and it’s so painful to watch, especially after paying for those tickets.”

Radio personality Sol Phenduka added to the discussion, critiquing a trend where live shows are treated as mere appearances rather than full performances. “Performers these days, it’s as if they booked for an appearance. They don’t perform their songs. They MC on their songs. Don’t ask us why ‘singalali emakhaya’. Just sing your song. We came to see you sing your song,” he said.

Donald’s message serves as a reminder to up-and-coming artists that cultivating a strong live presence is key to longevity in the music industry, and fans increasingly expect performances that match the energy and quality of studio recordings.