Rebecca Malope Biography: Age, Husband, Net Worth, Albums, Songs, Children, Height, Parents

Batsogile Lovederia Malope, known as Rebecca Malope, is a South African gospel singer, songwriter, and television personality, widely revered as “The Queen of Gospel.”

She rose to prominence after winning the Shell Road to Fame competition in 1987, transitioning from pop to gospel music with her breakthrough album Rebecca Sings Gospel (1992).

With over 10 million albums sold worldwide across her 36-album discography, she is one of the best-selling gospel artists globally.

Profile

• Full Name: Batsogile Lovederia Malope
• Stage Name: Rebecca Malope
• Born: June 30, 1968
• Age: 56 years old
• Birthplace: Lekazi, Nelspruit (now Mbombela), Mpumalanga, South Africa
• Nationality: South African
• Occupation: Gospel Singer, Songwriter, Television Personality
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Malope
• Siblings: Cynthia Malope (deceased)
• Spouse: Themba Tshabalala
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life and Education

Batsogile Lovederia Malope was born on June 30, 1968, in Lekazi, near Nelspruit (now Mbombela), Mpumalanga, South Africa. Raised in poverty on a tobacco farm by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Malope, alongside her sisters, including Cynthia, she sang hymns in their local church as a child.

A childhood illness confined her to a wheelchair, with doctors doubting she would walk again, yet she overcame this challenge. Due to financial hardship, she did not complete formal education, leaving school early.

At 18, she and Cynthia hiked 400 kilometers to Johannesburg’s Evaton township to pursue music. Her ethnicity is South African, and her religion is Christianity.

Career

Rebecca Malope began her music career in 1986, traveling to Johannesburg with her sister Cynthia to audition for the Shell Road to Fame competition. After an initial setback, she met producer Sizwe Zako at Gallo Studios, who guided her to victory in 1987 with her gospel song “Shine On,” dedicated to the political unrest during Apartheid.

Initially signed to MFM, she faced pressure to record disco music to compete with artists like Brenda Fassie but included one gospel track on her debut album Sthembile Kuwe (1989), which outperformed its pop songs. Her early pop albums, Rebecca (1989) and Woza Lovey (1989), both achieved platinum status.

In 1992, Malope fully embraced gospel with Rebecca Sings Gospel, which sold over one million copies, becoming a landmark in South African music by gaining airplay alongside mainstream genres. Her 1994 album Umoya Wam, featuring her signature song, broke sales records, and Shwele Baba (1995) became South Africa’s fastest-selling album, moving 100,000 units in three weeks.

She won Best Contemporary Gospel Album at the 1995 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and the Coca-Cola Full Blast Music Show’s Best Established Local Artist award. Collaborations with artists like Tsepo Tshola and her band Pure Magic enhanced her dynamic live performances across Africa, Europe, and the U.S.

From 2004 to 2019, Malope hosted It’s Gospel Time on SABC2, nurturing new talent, and served as a judge on Clash of the Choirs South Africa in 2013. Her 30th album, My Hero (2009), and her final album, Lord You Are Good (2019), underscored her enduring influence.

In 2021, she received the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver from President Cyril Ramaphosa. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of her father, brother, and sister in 1995, her music, often sung in Zulu, continues to inspire hope.

Her 2024 performance at Zanele Mbokazi’s funeral and ongoing mentorship of young artists cement her legacy as a gospel icon.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @dr_rebecca_malope
• Facebook Handle: Dr Rebecca Malope
• Twitter Handle: @DrRebeccaMalope

Personal Life

Rebecca Malope is married to businessman Themba Tshabalala, maintaining a private personal life focused on faith and family. In 2004, despite being told she could not conceive, she suffered a miscarriage, a deeply personal loss.

That same year, she adopted the two daughters of her sister Cynthia, who passed away from AIDS-related illnesses.

Discography

• Sthembile Kuwe (1989)
• Rebecca (1989)
• Woza Lovey (1989)
• Buyani (1990)
• Saturday Nite (1991)
• Rebecca Sings Gospel (1992)
• Ngiyekeleni (1993)
• Umoya Wam (1994)
• Shwele Baba (1995)
• Uzube Nam (1996)
• Angingedwa (1997)
• Somlandela (1998)
• Christmas with Rebecca and Friends (2000)
• Iyahamba Lenqola (2003)
• Hlala Nami (2003)
• Umthombo (2006)
• My Hero (2009)
• Bayos’khomba (2013)
• AmaVIP (2014)
• Lord You Are Good (2019)

Net Worth

Rebecca Malope’s estimated net worth is $10 million USD. Her wealth is primarily derived from her prolific music career, with over 10 million albums sold worldwide, most achieving gold or platinum status.