SAMA snubs De Mthuda
De Mthuda, real name Mthuthuzeli Gift Khoza was excluded from his performance at the South African Music Awards 2024.
Following multiple rehearsals, the producer was snubbed by the award ceremony due to a major production error.
The musician’s team released a statement saying, “SAMAs fumbled De Mthuda’s performance of his new summer anthem Diwa Kae. ”
Zimoja reports that De Mthuda was invited to perform at the event by RiSA and Sjula D Productions working behind the scenes.
“He agreed to perform his latest release, featuring a star-studded line-up including Kabza De Small, Young Stunna, McKenzie, MKeyz, and Mthunzi. The SAMAs would have been the first public performance of this track,’ said his manager Thabiso Khati.
“He was eventually asked by production to wait in the car and they would fetch him when it was time. This was because no artist waiting area had been provided. Shockingly, the producers proceeded to film the performance with only the featured artists, completely omitting De Mthuda,’ added Khati.
“How do you package a De Mthuda performance without him on stage?’ questioned Thabiso.
The production company has apologised to the music producer, but he and his team are working on addressing the incident.
This incident raises serious concerns about the organisation and professionalism of the SAMA Awards production. De Mthuda and his team are exploring all available options to address this unacceptable situation,’ he concluded. The SAMAs had not responded to our questions at the time of publishing.
