Tshego Explains Why He Refused to Perform at the SAMAs: “That’s Kinda Crazy Though”

• Tshego went public with a claim that SAMA organisers asked him to attend and perform at the 30th ceremony without offering any payment
• The South African singer said he was expected to cover his own travel, outfit, and rehearsal costs for a three-day trip to Rustenburg
• His candid remarks surfaced days after the SAMA 32 ceremony at Sun City in August 2026, reigniting debate about how artists are treated at major award shows

South African musician Tshego has sparked a fresh conversation about artist compensation after revealing that organisers of the South African Music Awards once asked him to show up and perform without offering a cent.

The confession came via a clip from a HotShotAaron stream on Kick, shared on X by @RealSihleIV on 19 August 2026. In the video, filmed in what appears to be a casual home living room, Tshego recounts being approached by SAMA organisers roughly two years before his remarks, which places the incident around the time of SAMA 30, held on 2 November 2024 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Gauteng. Tyla dominated the ceremony by winning four awards out of five nominations.

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Tshego explains why he refused to perform at the SAMAs

Tshego explained that the request was twofold: he was wanted both as an attendee and as a performer, yet neither came with a budget attached. When he pressed organisers on payment, their response left him stunned.

"We don't have a budget," he recalled them saying. His reaction was swift. "I'm not going to put out money for an outfit to travel to do the rehearsals for three days straight to Rustenburg and back to Joburg on my dime because you need me there to do what you need me there to do, but you're not willing to give me a budget for it. That's kinda crazy though," he said.

The singer was careful to separate his frustration from any ill feeling towards the SAMA community itself, saying,

"I love the SAMAs. I love what you guys stand for," before making his position clear: showing up costs money, and expecting artists to absorb those costs is unreasonable.

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The comments gained traction days after the SAMA 32 ceremony, held on 15 August 2026 at the Sun City Superbowl, bringing renewed attention to the ongoing debate around how the industry values established artists.

Watch the clip that sparked the conversation below:

Mzansi reacts to Tshego's revelation

Reactions online were largely sympathetic towards Tshego, though some offered alternative perspectives:

@princeofpitorii wrote:

"Respectfully thou, Tshego ain't as active as he used to be so maybe thats why they wanted him to make a free appearance, but I wouldn't perform either, unless if I really needed the exposure"

@Phelela88595352 asked:

"They didn't have the budget or what? How can you come for free when they have a big budget for it? Come on now, he has a valid argument"

@mixedracedUncle added:

"Not in 2026 my guy...Tshego might have stopped making music because of record label disputes, but he's a pretty impressive catalogue of music; he ain't no upcoming artist."

@siphiwemotaung4 offered a different take:

"He should have approached Hennessy to sponsor him. Perform that song of his. Free advertising for the brand on such a huge platform. That's where his bag was gonna come from. Rookie move from him."

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@DjLebitsi summed up the sentiment plainly:

"Knowing your value as an artist is to refuse to perform for free. An artist will not eat exposure."

Zanele Potelwa gushes over Bonang Matheba’s sweet gesture

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that Bonang Matheba complimented Zanele Potelwa on her hosting of the SAMAs and told her she was doing well.

A clip of Zanele's adorable reaction to Bonang's praise went viral, with fans calling it the cutest thing they'd seen all August.

Source: Briefly News