Biography of Benjamin Dube- Is He the Greatest South African Gospel Singer? 7 Facts

Benjamin Dube is a South African award-winning minister, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer.

He is regarded as one of South Africa’s greatest recording artists and he has mentored quite a number of musicians in the country.

Benjamin Dube was raised in the music scene as he began performing since he was a child. It is safe to say that he has music in his blood because his entire family is into music as well.

He has won numerous awards and has performed on the same stage with some famous gospel music singers like Kirk Franklin and a few others.

Who is Benjamin Dube?

Benjamin Dube was born on January 23^rd, 1962 in Johannesburg, South Africa. His father, evangelist Benjamin (Snr.) Dube was a minister and gospel singer while his mother, Grace Dube was an educator and also a singer.

He is the youngest of the five children in the family. His parents raised him and his siblings in Meadowlands, Soweto in a Christian family.

He attended Daliwonga secondary school and later earned a degree in Psychology.

Is He the Greatest South African Singer?

Benjamin Dube’s music career began several years ago. He founded a singing group in high school called “Share the Good News”. His relationship with Chicco Twala

He started his solo music career in 1986 after he released his hit song, “High Spirit”.

After his first hit, he released another hit, ‘Ebenezer’ which he featured the famous reggae legend, Lucky Dube. The song topped both gospel and secular music charts in South Africa.

Benjamin Dube continued to record albums and songs that touched people’s lives. His first live offering was recorded for New York’s Harmony Records Label was certified platinum at home.

Some of his famous songs include Ngiyakuthanda, Wena Uyingcwele, Yebo Linamandla, I Know You, etc. His most recent album titled glory in his presence was well received after it was uploaded on YouTube.

He has released more than a dozen gospel albums and at the same time, founded a non-profit organization in Boksburg, Johannesburg in 1994.

The organization is called High Praise Centre and it has over 2,000 members. The non-profit organization has helped the spiritual needs of so many people.

He also founded Artist Hope Arise (AHA) and also co-founded God’s Worshipers Convocation.

Benjamin Dube could pass for the greatest singer in South Africa for his achievements and great influence in the country’s gospel music scene.

He has also trained and mentored quite a number of singers especially youths. He is widely recognized not just in South Africa but in the whole African continent and even in some parts of the world also.

Benjamin Dube has released platinum and gold-selling albums. He has made a mark in his career and he is known as a renowned gospel musician from South Africa.

Here are 7 Interesting Facts about Benjamin Dube

Benjamin Dube Was Part Of His Family Music Group

At the tender age of 7, Benjamin Dube and his family began touring and singing internationally under the name Dube family singers.

They continued touring even in European churches where he later studied in the ministry and was subsequently ordained at the age of 24. The whole family was taught how to sing and harmonize by their mother.

He Learnt How To Play Instruments At the Age of 12

Benjamin Dube started learning how to play musical instruments at the early age of 12. He learned to play guitar, piano, and drums. He did all these while his family was touring.

His father was murdered when the singer was just 14

The singer’s father, Benjamin Dube (Snr) was murdered in 1962 when Dube, was just 14 years old. The Dube family continued their father’s legacy even after he passed. Their father’s murder inspired their album “Vager Vergeef Hethen” which means “Father forgive them”.

Benjamin Dube is also a Public Speaker

Dube is not only good at singing but also an eloquent speaker. He is widely recognized as an in-demand public speaker. One of his notable presentations was at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela. He has shared the podiums with international speakers like john Francis, Israel Houghton, Bishop TD Jakes, and a few others.

Benjamin Dube Has Been Divorced Twice

Despite his success in his career, the singer has had two failed marriages. He is currently married to Thabile Dube.

Their union has been blessed with four children: Mangi, Buhle, Sihle, and Mthokozisi Dube. Three of his sons are members of a gospel music group called “The Dube brothers”.

His sons had featured in his albums even before they formed their own group.

He Owns A Music Label

The talented singer has his own personal music label which has produced some of his songs as well as that of his sons and others signed to him. The record label is called Dube connection and it is licensed to Sony BMG and Spirit Music.