King Of His Castle

Pastor Benjamin Dube’s life centres on three things: God, family and great gospel. We visit him and his four sons at their Tuscan-style Alberton mansion.

- Mpho Tshikhudo

HE PUTS on no airs and graces as he steps into his expansive living room and introduces himself to our team. No protocol, no body­ guards and no personal assistants brie­fing us on what we can and can’t ask.

Pastor Benjamin Dube is anti­ceremony, period. Now that he’s pushing 55, the multi­award­winning singer­ songwriter might be fast app roaching his golden years, but you’d never guess it looking at him.

“The issue is really taking care of my body – you know, eating right,” he tells us. “I’m not a stickler on food, but I try not to overeat. Also, I train. I have my little gym upstairs.

“But everything boils down to one thing – the body is the temple that God wants to use. The more I take care of it, the longer God will have an opportunity to use it. Also, I try to free myself from worry.”

THE PASTOR lives in a gated, all­white estate just off the N3 highway near Alberton. It’s a rather grand Tuscan­ style mansion with quality finishes, and is kitted out with high­end designer furniture.

“We moved here last December,” the father of four boys tells us. “Prior to this address, I lived in Meyersdale for seven years, but I felt we had outgrown the place. Even the financial muscle was okay,” he shares.

“It was the doing of the Lord, really. God rewarded my faithfulness in remaining where I was. Moving, like travelling, gives one perspective.”

At the other end of the open­ plan living room, we spot Phindi, his first ex­wife and mother of his three eldest sons, who’s busy rustling up a meal.

The pastor is currently in the process of divorcing his second wife, Thabile.