Bruce Dube is the founder and Managing Director of Nine80 Digital which is a pan-African digital media publishing company with an impressive number of well-known titles under its umbrella.
The brand reaches millions of African youth every month and among some of its clients are some of the world’s biggest brands including Disney, and Vodacom.
Passionate about running his own business, Dube did not let depression stand in his way, instead before he could save capital to start his own business he resigned from his job.
With his safety net gone, Dube found himself heavily indebted and as a result lost everything he owned. However, this rising entrepreneur did not give up.
Capitalizing on Africa’s youth demographic, he set off to launch digital assets that address issues and the interests of African youth. He started with a youth search engine, then created a job portal, and before long, he had established a continental media house.
The business started in 2012 with a single digital asset, six years later, the business has increased its digital assets, with digital publishing footprint across South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria.
Among some of his achievements, in 2014 Dube was nominated and selected for DHL’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Program and as one of the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young People in South Africa. In 2017 He was recognized by The Financial Mail as one of SA’s Top Young Black Execs and featured in their yearly ‘Black Book’.
Dube contributes his success to what he calls a frugal approach to life and business and says his mother, who is a businesswoman has inspired his work and passion for entrepreneurship.
His vision is to champion youth causes that will enable the achievement of a prosperous Africa and to provide platforms of communication that will give people a voice and facilitate investments into the continent.
