Nkululeko Innocent Dube was born in Plumtree, Zimbabwe. He started the arts at a tender schooling age. He flourished back then as a poet and actor. He went to Mzingwane High School and later trained as a teacher. He briefly joined the teaching profession and founded what was to be a very popular drama club, The Mpopoma High School Drama club which then fledged into IYASA (Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts).
He holds a diploma in Education, a BA degree in English and Communication Studies and a Diploma in Arts management. He has also worked with and been either mentored or inspired by renowned artists worldwide who include Mbongeni Ngema, Albert Nyathi and Zola 7 among others. Dube is inspired by many arts legends like Cont Mhlanga, Sihlangu Dlodlo, Raisedon Baya, Paul Bayethe Damasane, Styxx Mhlanga, Nomadlozi Kubheka, Alois Moyo and the late Norman Takawira to mention but a few. He continues to work with them and to refer to them for advice and guidance up to date.
After he formed Iyasa in 2001, they became an instant darling in the arts industry producing amazing shows, music videos and other productions among them the ever so popular Banolila and Bump Jive. He later met Mr. Stephan Rabl who currently is a promoter and arts producer in Austria. Stephan invited the group to Schaexpir Festival in Linz, Austria. They worked with his company Szene Bunte Wahne in which was to be the beginning of yearly tours for the group to Austria and Czech Republic up to date. They held shows at festivals, schools and other venues including workshops for young people.
Since 2001, IYASA has under his direction remained relevant to the Zimbabwean and international arts scene. Locally he has mentored artists like Sandra Ndebele, Nkwali, Futurelove Sibanda, Pepsie Magonya, Silethemba Magonya to mention but a few. The dance revolution led by Dube has seen the birth of many dance groups in the country.
Internationally Nkululeko has fostered several collaborations for IYASA with different artists and theatre houses in countries such as Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Spain, France, Japan, Taiwan, Lichtenstein, Sweden and many more.
Mr. Dee, NID, NI or simply Innocent as many of his friends and fans prefer to affectionately call him is a humble man who shies away from too much limelight. He prefers to work from behind scenes and let his work speak for him. He believes dreams only become a reality when you wake up and work towards them with diligence.