Thirty-years in the music industry have proven worthwhile for gospel musician Pastor Benjamin Dube.
The founder of the High Praise Centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award three times and Best Male Artist at the Crowne Gospel Awards in his music career.
His accolades include the Gospel Legend Award, Best Song of Praise in 2008 and Best Worship Album in 2007.
Having recently released his 16th and latest album, Healing in His Presence, in March, the album and the live DVD have reached gold status in sales.
On the album Dube worked with Judith Sephuma, Pastor Meyi Zimu and his three sons, who have formed a group called The Dube Brothers.
He says he chose experienced artists because he could relate to them.
Dube will be performing at the Mangaung Cultural Festival (Macufe) in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Other artists featured in the gospel concert are Solly Mahlangu, Avante, Rebecca Malope and Sechaba. The show will be held at the Old Grey Sports Ground.
For his fans, the Ngiyakuthanda Moy'oyingcwele star says he will be taking along Zimu and they should expect some healing.
"(We) will perform songs of healing. Those who are broken and rejected can expect to be ushered into the presence of God for spiritual upliftment," he says.
Dube says his survival in the industry is based on his faith in God. Some of his challenges include the failure of his two marriages.
"If it were on my own strength I would have given up by now. The more I put into my work the more my marriages suffered. When things work out at home, they fall apart at work and vice versa," Dube says.
The father of three is now responsible for mentoring his sons, who have also joined the industry.
"They are more blessed than I was but my responsibility now is to guide them, accelerate their maturity, give them wisdom and make sure they develop to be better than me. My father died when I was 14 and I never got that support."
Living in a musical home, he says work is more like a hobby for the whole family.
"There is music and God in the house all the time. It does not seem like work at all, but with the children I make sure they separate school from music," Dube says.
He urged fellow musicians to beware of the perils of fame and fortune.
"The worshippers who have made it big-time must be careful not to take the place of God and become their own saviours. They should also not celebrate the downfall of struggling artists because fortunes change often," he says.
Macufe runs from today to October 14 with a variety of events such as boxing and cage fighting, a soccer match, comedy and music shows.
Benjamin's firsts
First Gospel CD/Record?
Andre Crouch, Live in London
First Bible?
I do not quite remember but I think it was the one given to me by my mother. It was in IsiZulu
First spiritual encounter?
It was in 1976 when I was 14 at a gathering that was filled with chaos. People were crying and falling. Back then I counldnt understand but that was the moment.
First inspiration through music?
My parents at home. My father would play a guitar my mother sang
First concert as a performer?
It was with my family, but individually my first performance was in cape Town in 1987
First car?
A white Volkswagen Jetta. I just loved the brand.
First cellphone?
A very big Motorolla in 1984