Juanita du Plessis: Biography, Age, Husband, Children, Awards

Juanita du Plessis ( born 26 April 1972) is a Namibian-born South African Afrikaans country singer best known for her hit song Ska-Rumba.

Table of Contents

Since she began singing in 1998, with her debut album, Juanita, Du Plessis has released over 30 albums and DVDs. She has also recorded a total of 2.6 million units sold, making it the most any female artist has ever sold in the history of South Africa

Juanita du Plessis
Namibian-South African Afrikaans country singer – Juanita du Plessis.
Personal Details
Name:	Juanita du Plessis
Born:	26 April 1972 (age 53 years old)
Place of birth:	Windhoek, South West Africa
Education:	Windhoek High School
Occupation:	Singer
Years active:	1998-date
Genre:	Afrikaans country pop
Label:	Juanita Records
Spouse:	Herman du Plessis (m. 1989)
Children:	Ruan (son), Mario (son), Franja (daughter)
Residence:	Johannesburg

Early Life

Juanita du Plessis was born Juanita Naudé on 26 April 1972 in Windhoek, South West Africa (present-day Namibia). She grew up on a farm and was raised on a ranch with her two stepbrothers. Her brother, Peter Naudé, was also a singer.

She attended Suiderhof Primary School and completed her secondary education at Windhoek High School.

Career

After completing school, Du Plessis started working as a secretary in a transport company before venturing into music.

Du Plessis began singing professionally in 1998 with the debut album, Juanita. She bagged Namibia’s Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. She received the best singer, best songwriter, and the Association’s Award for outstanding achievement.

Juanita du Plessis award — *Du Plessis won the Aitsa award, Afrikaans Song of the Year, with Liewe Jinne in 2024.*

In 2010, Du Plessis bagged a SAMA award (Best Afrikaans DVD) for her 10th Annual Platinum Hits. Her record sales total over 3,000,000.

In 2011, she was crowned the most popular female artist at the Huisgenoot’s Tempo Awards ceremony in Johannesburg. She won it seven years consecutively.

She released a greatest hits album, 20 Jaar – Treffers van 2008–2018, in 2018 to mark 20 years in the music industry.

Du Plessis and her children took the stage at Carnival City’s Big Top Arena on 30 March 2019. Together, they released a hit, Kaalvoetkinders, which was played on many radio stations. She and her children, Franja du Plessis and Ruan Josh, have held over 50 exclusive concerts, collectively playing to crowds.

Personal life

Juanita du Plessis got married to Herman du Plessis (also known as Doepie) in 1989. Shortly after their wedding, she moved to South Africa. She and her husband have three children: Ruan (son) and twins Mario (son) and Franja (daughter). She is based in Johannesburg.

Her brother, Peter Daniel Naude, passed away on 27 April 2025 after a long and courageous battle against brain cancer.