Rising South African music duo SaxbyTwins are stepping into one of the biggest moments of their careers after being announced as part of the LIV Golf South Africa Afterplay line-up. The exciting event will see them share the stage with international and local heavyweights such as Calvin Harris, Black Coffee, and GoldFish, marking a major win for the independent artists.
Following the announcement, OK Mzansi Magazine caught up with the duo to speak about their journey, breakout year, latest music, and what this global opportunity means to them.
OK Mzansi Magazine Interview:
Congratulations on being announced for LIV Golf South Africa. What does being part of such a global event mean to you as independent artists?
Everything. Golf and sport in general has always been a massive part of our lives. We’ve played golf since we were 4 years old and would literally play every day in university. The music journey has not been easy, but we’ve kept believing in ourselves. So, to blend our passions of sport with our life of music feels amazing.
You’ve mentioned that you’re both golf fans—how does performing at LIV Golf Afterplay differ from a traditional music festival for you?
Golf and sport in general has always been a massive part of our lives. We’ve played golf since we were 4 years old and would literally play everyday in university. This is an international lineup with Calvin Harris on it. Not many artists from South Africa are given these chances so to be recognised and asked to perform on this platform is a dream. A dream paying off for us of hard work, consistency, belief when others doubted in the beginning and sheer determination.
Sharing a line-up with international and local legends like Calvin Harris, Black Coffee, and GoldFish is a big moment. How does it feel to see your names alongside theirs?
These are established artists within the South African scene that have been going at it for a long period. We’re still the new kids on the block and early in our live music scene, so to be on stage with these legends, what a privilege! These are the artists we’d listen to in school!
2025 was a breakout year for the SaxbyTwins. What do you feel was the key turning point in your journey?
I think the key has been perseverance. We’ve learnt so much and grown so much the past year in our career. We stuck to our vision, kept going back to the drawing board and identifying ways to improve our sound.
Your latest single, You’ll Find The Light, carries a strong message of hope and resilience. What inspired the song, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
The song is about perseverance and having faith. Keep going on your journey with belief, keep knocking on that door and someone will eventually answer. It’s about creating a version of yourself whom your younger self would look up to and be inspired by.
As independent artists, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced behind the scenes while building your brand?
We’re doing it by ourselves. We edit all our content, write all our lyrics etc. We feel we’re on a different route to most artists. We’re on a route of inspiring others and showing others that with hard work and dedication, you can turn your dream into a reality.
From charting on major radio stations to reaching over 100K monthly listeners and surpassing one million streams on We Lit a Match, how has this growth influenced your confidence and creative direction?
 I think we’re almost at a point of understanding what sound suits us. This past year we embraced a new sound and direction with our music.
Your recent country-wide December tour was a success. What stood out most for you while connecting with fans across South Africa?
Seeing people some our songs all over the country from small towns to big towns, this was special. Furthermore, the things some people would say to us after the shows or in random places about how our music is helping them is also truly special to us.
We’ve performed for 5 or less people before in the past and to see 500, 1000+ standing in front of us now singing our songs is truly humbling with the journey we’ve had.
You’ve described 2026 as your boldest leap yet, with plans for global expansion. What can fans expect next from the SaxbyTwins?
Our best music yet, hopefully more international shows, a potential collaboration.
Lastly, what advice would you give to young creatives and independent artists who look up to your journey?
You have to believe in yourself first in order for others to believe in you. Keep going, remember why you started and keep knocking on that door. The industry is not easy, people judge and doubt you but at the end of the day if you keep faithful, stay hard working and determined, it’s funny because those doubter will start turning into believers and be watching you more closely.
