BY SHARON SIBINDI
VICTORIA Falls-based award-winning poet, Obert Dube has continued to ride the crest of a wave through his inspirational poems.
Everything he touches turns into gold and he can not put a foot wrong.
Dube, known as The African Poet, was once a teacher at Mosi oa Tunya High School, and is an actor and Imbube musician.
His dream was to become a long distance truck driver so that he could visit neighboring countries.
However, Dube’s career path took an unexpected trajectory the day he was “forced” to do poetry when he was still a teacher.
It was love at first recital. He knew then that there was nothing he wanted to do more than trill off stanzas of verse to spellbound audiences.
Through poetry, Dube has fulfilled his dream of travelling to different countries like South Africa, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Swaziland.
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He has launched a charity arm, the Obert Dube Foundation, to assist underprivileged children in his home area, Lupane.
The trust has benefitted more than 20 orphans by providing school fees and food.
Dube, in a career spanning eight years, has charmed audiences in many countries through hard-hitting social commentary and rapid-fire rhymes of flawless verse. He has amassed seven awards such as the National Arts Merit Award (Nama) and Best Pan African of the year 2021 during the Pan African Cultural Festival.
How it started
“I was never a poet. Honestly, I was a drama actor and an imbube singer. That’s what I enjoyed. I never thought of poetry in my life. I was forced to do poetry when I was a teacher at Mosi oa Tunya High School,” Dube said.
“I remember that day well, we had a Speech and Prize Giving day ceremony. Our guest speaker was the late Professor Phineas Mogorosi Makhurane.
“What happened is, the headmaster at Mosi oa Tunya High School, took me by surprise and gave me a profile of Professor Makhurane and said I should compose a poem. That was my first time to compose and perform a poem.”
Growing up
“At school I was doing drama, public speaking and traditional dance. I also played football at Primary level as left winger because I am left footed,” he said.
Rhythm…flow of words inspiration
“I used to imitate the late lyrics of the South Africa’s most celebrated maskandi musicians — Bhekumuzi Luthuli. Then a man called Nhlanhla Mkhwananzi (Seka Lwazi) told me that I can be a poet.”
“My imbube lead vocalist Ndabezinhle Sibanda from Dongamuzi said I was too talkative, poetry could fit me well. So I became a poet.”
When asked if he ever dreamt of doing poetry outside the country and having such a huge following?
Dube said: “I honestly never thought of that. What I am today, I never dreamt of it. My aim was to be a long distance truck driver and be able to visit different countries.”
Challenges in the sector
“I always get moral support but financial support has been a stumbling block upto date. I wish to record in better studios and they are very expensive, I can’t afford,” he said.
Mementos
Dube said November 28 last year was the biggest event in his life after he got an invite to perform at South Africa Traditional Merit Achievements Awards (SATMA) and shared the stage with the likes of Kelly Khumalo.”
“Actually I came after her. The stage, sound, lighting system was out of this world, it was my first time to see such things….I even met Mzwakhe Mbuli,” he said.
Secret to success
Dube believes in working hard in order to aim higher. “Respect is always the key to everything. I believe in doing what I love and also having anxiety to improve myself every day. Above all, I believe in praying no matter what,” he said.
New projects
Dube has two albums that will be out soon a Ndebele album where all Matabeleland poets feature and an English album where he worked with six poets from Botswana, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Gambia.
Message to upcoming poets
“Do your thing, money will follow. I have a program for poets; I have managed to take three of them to the studio,” he said.
“Many talented artists end their career because they won’t have money to go to the studio. Especially those from poor background like me.”
