By Thabisani Dube

On stage, 41-year-old Obert Dube commands silence before he speaks. His words, sometimes laced with laughter and sometimes with tears, carry the heartbeat of a continent. Dressed in a simple shirt, he begins to recite — and in that moment, poetry, comedy, and purpose intertwine. The voice of a man who rose from barefoot dreams to inspire a nation fills the air, reminding audiences that greatness can emerge from the humble beginnings.

A poet, comedian, director of ceremonies (DC), author, and motivational speaker, Dube has become one of Zimbabwe’s most dynamic cultural voices — using humour, storytelling, and poetry to reflect on African identity, unity, and resilience.

“In everything I do, I want to remind people that being African is not a curse — it’s a calling,” Dube told New Ziana in an interview. “I use my art to promote peace, love, and respect — because we cannot heal as a people without those things.”

Dube’s story began in hardship. Growing up in a poor family in Dandanda in Lupane district, Matabeleland North Province, Dube walked barefoot to school, often without a uniform, and sometimes had to drop out due to lack of school fees. Yet, those struggles became his greatest lessons.

He began his primary education at Kenyandavu Primary School from 1991 to 1997, where despite the challenges of poverty, he showed early signs of resilience. He then proceeded to Siyamagoza Secondary School, but life’s harsh realities forced him out of the classroom for two painful years — 2001 and 2002 — when school fees became an impossible burden.

Refusing to surrender his dream, Dube returned to complete his Ordinary Level studies in 2003, a defining moment that marked his quiet triumph over adversity. Determined to push even further, he enrolled for Advanced Level studies at Mosi-oa-Tunya High School in Victoria Falls in Hwange district between 2004 and 2005, laying the foundation for the voice that would later inspire a nation.
What once seemed like setbacks shaped a storyteller whose words now echo with meaning. Each barefoot step, each missed lesson, and every return to the classroom became part of the rhythm behind the man who would rise from silence to command stages with poetry, comedy, and purpose.

“I was once a school drop-out,” he recalled quietly. “That pain became my teacher. It made me want to help children who face the same struggles.”

From those humble beginnings, Dube rose to become a household name — a voice for the voiceless and a beacon of hope for young Zimbabweans. His artistry is deeply rooted in experience, blending satire, history, and faith to challenge his audience to reflect, laugh, and act.

“I studied history at school — learning about the Scramble for Africa and the assassination of Gaddafi changed my mindset,” he said. “I realised that Africa needs artists who speak for her — artists who build unity through their craft.”

Indeed, Dube’s performances transcend entertainment. Whether on a comedy stage or at a community gathering, his message is clear: Africa must rise with dignity and purpose.
His creative journey began unexpectedly — when a school headmaster once asked him to entertain students while waiting for a late DC. The moment changed his life. What began as improvisation evolved into a lifelong mission of inspiration through words.

“I don’t consider any challenge as failure,” he said. “To me, every challenge is a lesson. I just move on.”

Beyond the applause, Dube is a man of deep compassion. His philanthropic work has touched hundreds of lives — particularly children and the elderly.

In 2024 alone, he paid school fees for 137 underprivileged children and helped return several school dropouts to class. Through personal donations, he has supported schools such as Msewele Secondary and Primary Schools (both in Lupane District, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe), and primary schools including Ngombane (Lupane, Matabeleland North), as well as others like Sefula, Ngadlwana, Kayongolo, and Menyezwa — providing pens, books, and other learning materials.

In addition, he has extended his outreach to other provinces. In Gokwe district (Midlands), he has supported three schools, providing educational resources and motivational talks for students. Likewise, in Kezi district (Matabeleland South), Dube has helped three more schools, ensuring children in rural communities have the tools to succeed academically.

“I know what it’s like to sit at home while others go to school,” he said. “No child should go through that if I can help it.”

Dube also runs mentorship sessions across Matabeleland North, teaching youth about perseverance, self-control, and the dangers of exploitation. For him, giving back is not charity — it’s duty.
“When Dube speaks, you don’t just laugh — you think,” said one fan from Hwange. “He reminds us that there’s dignity in being African.”

His comedy is more than entertainment; it is medicine. Through laughter, he addresses social issues such as poverty, peace, and leadership with disarming honesty.

“When people laugh, they open their hearts,” Dube reflected. “That’s when you can plant the seed of truth.”

Over the years, Dube has performed on national and regional stages, receiving awards for poetry, social impact, and Pan-African advocacy. His work has made him a cultural ambassador — a bridge between traditional wisdom and modern expression.

As he looks to the future, Dube remains grounded in humility, faith, and purpose.

“My message is simple,” he said. “Work hard, respect others, love God, and promote peace. The legacy I want to leave is that every African child, no matter how poor, must believe their story matters.”

From dusty village paths to international stages, Obert Dube continues to transform pain into poetry — and laughter into hope. His journey is a living reminder that art, when born of struggle and love, can rebuild nations and restore faith in humanity.

His message has travelled across the Republic of South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, and the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), as well as reaching audiences in Germany and the United Kingdom, affirming his place as a powerful voice on both the African and global stage.