Sol Phenduka on artists’ no-show at December gigs
Media personality Sol Phenduka has sparked conversation online after commenting on what he described as a flood of apologies from South African musicians during the festive season.
Taking to X, the Podcast and Chill co-host reflected on the number of artists who missed scheduled performances in December, suggesting that the period was marked by repeated letdowns for fans and event organisers.
“Ya this past December was a statement / apology fest. People missing gigs left right and center. Kuningi,” Sol tweeted.
His post quickly drew reactions from industry peers, including Cubique DJ, who offered a more detailed perspective on what he believes is at the root of the problem.
In a candid response, Cubique DJ pointed to overcommitment as a major issue within the local music scene.
“Overcommitment is a silent killer. Taking more than three or four gigs in a single day, across different provinces, is basically scheduling your own failure,” he wrote. “You can’t be everywhere and fully present. Something will crack.”
Cubique DJ went on to note that while some artists attempt to beat the system, it is rarely sustainable.
He singled out veteran DJ Leehleza as a rare exception. “I’ve only seen one person beat that system, Leehleza. He overcommitted and still showed up, every time. That’s rare. That’s an outlier. That’s not the rule.”
Overcommitment is a silent killer. Taking more than three or four gigs in a single day, across different provinces, is basically scheduling your own failure. You can’t be everywhere and fully present. Something will crack. I’ve only seen one person beat that system, Leehleza. He… https://t.co/EYgRVxras5
— Cubique DJ (@CubiqueDJ) January 2, 2026