Plumtree-born Dube was only marketable as a domestic worker when she arrived here to join her husband in 1997. About 16 years later, she has successfully involved herself in music and brand marketing as well as a host of other professional jobs.
She runs two booming business ventures – an events management company in Marshalltown and a fast food outlet in central Johannesburg. Her path to success began when she enrolled for a diploma course at a local housekeeping academy to give herself an edge over the many competitors who lined the streets seeking similar jobs as domestic workers and child minders.
When the shrinking employment world pushed her to try her luck in fast-food employment, she enrolled for a cooking course, coming out with a Junior Chef certificate. She later did a call centre agent qualification and secured a better paying job that she did along the way.
“I later on fell in love with music and at that juncture, together with my husband and my brother in law, we started our music company called GLM Entertainment,” she told The Zimbabwean this week.
“In the process, I have had the pleasure of working with some of the greatest musicians in Africa, promoting and marketing them.”
As her profile in music marketing grew, Dube was hired by the legendary South African musician, Dan Tshanda, to work as his public relations officer.
Tshanda is well-known in his home country, Botswana, and in Zimbabwe for his ageless Splash music. He has composed for and produced more than 10 groups in a career spanning some three decades.
The fact that he head-hunted Dube to handle his publicity speaks volumes for her ability in the field, where she also did marketing for him and his many groups.
“I worked with Tshanda for two years and I don’t regret a single day as I learned many things from him in terms of how the music industry works and what one needs to do to adjust to the challenges,” said Dube.
Married to the now well-known internet radio station proprietor, Gerald Ngulube ka Ncube, Dube has ensured that she is not left out from the other half of the family legacy he is creating.
“When my husband started the internet radio called Radio Mthwakazi FM with his friend Mothusi Ndlovu, I immediately became their Marketing Director, something which I still do today,” she added. The young station has become a household name for Zimbabweans both at home and abroad.
The multi-tasking and involvement in whatever her husband does has not killed Dube’s passion to run something of her own independently.
“I have not forgotten that I have my own company called Sista Boss Entertainment and the takeaway shop, BAG FOODS, that we opened recently. We catering there and provide services for birthday parties, weddings and church functions. We also hire out the place for private functions,” she said.
Dube was born in Plumtree’s Diba area, but later moved to Gwambe, where she did her primary education. She did her Ordinary Level at Sikhathini secondary school.
Post published in: Africa News