Dumisani Mabaso grew up in Dube, Soweto/Johannesburg. He left South Africa aged 24 after the student uprising in 1976 and made his way to London.
As a musician in exile, he became the founder of the band "Sounds of Soweto" and was very successful with this band in Africa, the US and Europe.
In 1981 Dumisani Mabaso played the title role in the movie Lisa und Tshepo by Erika Runge.
Dumisani has three sons, Sikhumbuzo, Jabu and Thando. He now lives in Hamburg with his wife, Bethina. He has done a number of solo performances and leads seminars and workshops such as the famous Gumboot Dance. He teaches in schools and kindergartens and is a lecturer at Musica Altona, which is without doubt a great institution for bringing kids and teenagers from all backgrounds closer to music.
For
Bethina Walbaum music has always been a major part of her life. She started writing lyrics at an early age and later on began composing. Now, for more than 20 years, Bethina and Dumisani have been making music together.
How they got together is really quite romantic. Bethina and Dumisani first met during the famous musical "Sounds of Soweto" - which gets under your skin not only musically - where Bethina took care of the lighting.
There she could immerse herself in the magical voices and harmonies of South Africa. She first fell in love with - and subsequently learned to play - traditional African instruments and drums. And singing - this she could already do!
In 1997, Bethina formed the all-female band "Shemotion" (sample). She is also a founding member of Musica Altona, where she has served on the Board since its inception.
Thando Mabaso Walbaum is DUBE´s youngest son. Since the age of three, he has been playing percussion and drums. In 1995, he formed the drums and percussion band, The Drum Kids, which has won a number of prizes in recent years. Amongst others, they were the best kids band in 2002 and in 2004 at the "Altonale Spaßparade" and they took part in the sequel "Trommelwirbel" of the well-known series "Die Pfefferkörner".
He has a number of creative hobbies, but over time Thando discovered a passion for acting and went to the drama school TASK. Since then Thando has been in a number of productions, including:
Kino: Emil und die Detektive
Fernsehen/Film: `Neger, Neger, Schornsteinfeger´, Unsere Mutter ist halt anders
Serie: Die Pfefferkörner, Großstadtrevier
In 2005 Thando was acting together with Veronica Ferres in the TV film (on "ZDF", october 2006)
`Neger, Neger Schornsteinfeger´, a bestseller autobiographie written by Hans-Jürgen Massaquoi;
directed by Jörg Grünler. (More: Press-cuttings)
Simon Murumahoko has been with DUBE since 1997. They met at a joint performance at the South African Embassy in The Hague on the occasion of South Africa's Freedom Day.
Simon comes from Zimbabwe, and lives with his family in Amsterdam, where he plays in his own band, Tribal Countdown.
Hinrich Dageför is an expert on and a great interpreter of South African music. He has been connected with Bethina and Dumisani for over 20 years and has played with DUBE since the beginning.
In the 90's he was a guitarist in the soul band "RAD" and a founding member of "Band M´Blu et moi" and was involved in the project "SWOP". For a couple of years he has been working together with Frank and Stefan Wulff as a film music composer in their own Ougenweide O`ton Studio. They were nominated for the "Deutsche Fernsehpreis" (German TV Award) for their music for the Lars Becker film "Rette deine Haut" (Save Your Skin).
Since March 2005 he has been on tour with the Sicilian singer Etta Scollo, playing in "Canta Ro" as a multi-instrumentalist.
Jabu Mabaso is the second oldest son of DUBE. Jabu is without doubt a genius on the drums and on the Mbira, a talented singer and a highly-gifted dancer. He not only has complete command of traditional dances, which he also teaches, but also of the modern styles and even the Gumboot Dance.
In den Jahren 2003 und 2004 tourte er mit DUBE.
In 2003 and 2004 he toured Germany with DUBE. Now he lives together with his family in Soweto and plays there in his own band "amatsheketshe osiko".
Sikhumbuzo Mabaso , is the oldest son of DUBE and lives with his family in Soweto. He is a rap musician and graffiti artist.
On the following pages you will find more news, information and photos. Maybe there's a gig planned in your area, or you can contact DUBE directly if you're a concert promoter. And remember - you're guaranteed an absolute treat - you just can't get enough of their fantastic show and amazing array of instruments.
DUBE thanks you for your visit.
