Dr. Kenny Makweng Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Net Worth & More
Dr. Kenny Makweng was a South African gospel singer, songwriter, producer, and academic who touched the hearts of millions with his soulful voice and uplifting messages. He was one of the most prominent and influential figures in the Sione gospel genre, which blends traditional ZCC hymns with contemporary music styles. He collaborated with some of the biggest names in the gospel scene, such as Mojeremane, Oleseng Shuping, and Winnie Mashaba, and released over 20 albums in his career.
He also obtained a BA degree in music from the University of Limpopo in 2023, fulfilling his lifelong dream of pursuing higher education. He passed away on January 16, 2024, at the age of 54, after suffering a stroke that left him in a coma for two weeks. His death was mourned by his family, friends, fans, and fellow artists, who remembered him as a humble, generous, and talented man who dedicated his life to serving God and his community.
Dr. Kenny Makweng Wiki/Bio
| Name | Dr. Kenny Makweng |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 3rd September 1969 |
| Birth place | Ga-Matlala, Limpopo, South Africa |
| Death date | January 15, 2024 |
| Death place | Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa |
| Cause of death | Stroke |
| Occupation | Gospel singer, songwriter, producer, academic |
| Genre | Sione gospel |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1988-2024 |
| Labels | KennyMak Productions |
| Awards | South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Traditional Gospel Album (2000, 2002, 2004), Metro FM Award for Best Gospel Album (2001, 2003) |
| Education | BA degree in music from the University of Limpopo (2023) |
| Ethnicity | Black African |
| Nationality | South African |
| Religion | Zion Christian Church (ZCC) |
| Links | Instagram- @dr_kenneth_makweng Facebook- @kennymakweng123 Homepage- Newsunzip |
Biography
Dr. Kenny Makweng was born on 3rd September 1969 (age: 54 years, when died), in Ga-Matlala, a rural village in the Limpopo province of South Africa. He was the youngest of six children born to Samuel and Martha Makweng, who were devout members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). He grew up in a poor but loving family that instilled in him the values of faith, hard work, and respect.
He developed a passion for music at a young age, singing in the church choir and playing the guitar. He also excelled in school, earning a scholarship to attend the prestigious St. John’s College in Johannesburg, where he completed his matric in 1987.
Music Career and Achievements
Dr. Kenny Makweng started his music career in 1988, when he joined the popular gospel group Mojeremane and the Zion Stars as a lead singer and guitarist. He recorded his first album with the group, titled “Ke Na Le Modisa”, which became a huge hit and established him as a rising star in the gospel scene. He stayed with the group for five years, releasing four more albums and touring the country extensively.
He then decided to pursue a solo career, launching his own record label, KennyMak Productions, in 1993. He released his debut solo album, “Ke Se Ke Utlwile”, in 1994, which was well-received by the critics and the fans. He followed it up with more successful albums, such as “Ke Tla Go Rapela”, “Ke Llela Moya”, “Ke A Leboga”, and “Ke Tla Dula”. He also collaborated with other gospel artists, such as Oleseng Shuping, Winnie Mashaba, Rebecca Malope, and Solly Moholo, creating some of the most memorable duets and songs in the genre. He won several awards and accolades for his music, including the South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Traditional Gospel Album in 2000, 2002, and 2004, and the Metro FM Award for Best Gospel Album in 2001 and 2003. He also received honorary doctorates from the University of Limpopo and the University of South Africa for his contribution to the gospel industry and the society.
Dr. Kenny Makweng was known for his distinctive style of singing, which combined the traditional ZCC hymns with modern elements of jazz, reggae, and Afro-pop. He sang in various languages, including Sepedi, Sesotho, English, and Zulu, appealing to a wide and diverse audience. He also wrote and composed most of his songs, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences, his faith, and his social commentary. He addressed various issues affecting his community, such as poverty, unemployment, crime, corruption, HIV/AIDS, and racism, calling for peace, justice, and unity.
He also sang about his love for God, his gratitude for his blessings, and his hope for the future. He was a charismatic and energetic performer, who captivated the crowds with his powerful voice and his lively stage presence. He performed at various events and venues, such as churches, stadiums, festivals, weddings, and funerals, reaching out to people from all walks of life. He also performed internationally, touring countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, the UK, the US, and Canada. He was widely regarded as one of the best and most influential gospel artists in South Africa and beyond.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5’11″ feet
- Weight: 65 kg
- Eye color: Black
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $1 million (estimated) |
Married Life
Dr. Kenny Makweng was married to his beautiful wife, for 25 years. They met in 1995 when she was working as a nurse at a hospital where he was admitted for a minor surgery. They fell in love and tied the knot in 1998, in a lavish ceremony attended by their family, friends, and fellow artists. They had four children together, two sons and two daughters.
— Dr Kenneth Makweng(KennyMak) (@MakwengKenny) December 13, 2023
Dr. Kenny was a devoted husband and father, who loved and supported his family unconditionally. He also took care of his extended family, including his parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews, providing for their needs and education. He was a generous and compassionate man, who donated to various charities and causes, especially those related to children, education, and health. He also mentored and sponsored many young and upcoming gospel artists, helping them to launch and grow their careers.
Dr. Makweng was a proud and patriotic South African, who celebrated and embraced his culture and heritage. He was a loyal and active member of the ZCC, attending the church services regularly and participating in the church activities and events. He was also a lifelong learner, who valued and pursued education. He enrolled at the University of Limpopo in 2019, at the age of 50, to study for a BA degree in music. He graduated with flying colors in 2023, fulfilling his dream of obtaining a formal qualification in his field of passion. He also planned to continue his studies and pursue a master’s and a PhD degree in music.
Death and Legacy
Dr. Kenny Makweng suffered a stroke on January 4, 2024, while he was at his home in Polokwane. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage and placed in a medically induced coma. He remained in a critical condition for two weeks, with his family, friends, and fans praying for his recovery. However, he succumbed to his illness on January 15, 2024, at the age of 54. His death was announced by his record label, KennyMak Productions, in a statement that read:
“It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we inform the public, media, promoters, and fans about the passing of our beloved Dr. Makweng. He fought a good fight, but God had other plans for him. He passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by his family. We request privacy and respect for the family during this difficult time. We also ask for your support and prayers as we prepare to lay him to rest. We thank you for your love and loyalty to Dr. Kenny Makweng and his music. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on.”
Dr. Makweng’s funeral was held on January 23, 2024, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. It was attended by thousands of mourners, including his family, friends, fans, fellow artists, politicians, religious leaders, and dignitaries. He was eulogized as a gospel legend, a musical genius, a humble servant, a loving father, a faithful husband, a generous benefactor, and a loyal friend. He was buried at his ancestral home in Ga-Matlala, where he was given a hero’s send-off.
Dr. Makweng’s music will live on for generations to come and provide solace and inspiration to those still grieving his loss. His death reminds us of life’s fragility and its everlasting consequences; while remembering Dr. Makweng we remember its power of healing, uniting, and uplift – something his legacy was always known to do through gospel music in particular and community involvement more generally. He was a rare and remarkable talent, who used his gifts to glorify God and bless humanity. He was a shining example of what it means to live a life of purpose, passion, and excellence.
