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Hoe Groot Is U
Released Dec 5, 2012
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Quick Facts
Born
1950
1950
From
South Africa
South Africa
Journey
Jan Johannes Marthinus de Wet was born on 3 February 1950 in Harrismith in the Free State, where he grew up in a household shaped by his father’s work as a Dutch Reformed Church pastor. Frequent moves were part of his childhood as the family followed ministry placements. After matriculating from Potchefstroom Gimnasium in 1967, he studied education at RAU and Potchefstroom University, then spent two years teaching high school in Namibia. In 1975 he enrolled at Stellenbosch University, eventually becoming chair of the Student Council and completing both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Theology. He later served in the Dutch Reformed Church, most notably in Somerset West from 1980 to 1989, while slowly steering his focus toward full-time music.
His musical beginnings took shape during his student years, when he teamed up with Marti Hellferscee to form the duo Jan en Marti. Their 1972 debut album featured the well-known “Ai, Meisie, Meisie” and “Die kosliedjie”, which became popular within Afrikaans Christian circles. The pair recognised a growing need for Afrikaans praise songs supported by guitar rather than imported English worship material, and Jan began writing his own songs to meet that demand. Although the duo eventually went their separate ways, their two albums marked a turning point for Afrikaans worship music.
Jan’s first recording actually came much earlier, in 1967, long before his university years. Over the decades he built an extensive catalogue of more than sixty releases across LP, cassette, CD, DVD and video. He also became a familiar presence on radio and television through programmes such as Die Hemelse Roem on Radio Orion and Soeklig on SABC TV2. His ministry to children grew steadily as well, with projects like Jan en die Lofkleuters becoming firm favourites in Afrikaans homes and schools.
As his career progressed, he secured a major recording contract with Sony Music and collaborated with several leading Afrikaans gospel artists. In 2015 and 2016 he toured Australia and New Zealand as part of Manne wat Glo with Leon Ferreira, Willie Joubert and Dewald Gouws, and his children’s segment during those concerts became a highlight for families abroad. His travels took him across South Africa and to countries including the United States, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Australia, New Zealand and numerous African nations.
His discography covers contemporary gospel albums, worship collections, children’s praise projects and themed releases. The acclaimed Via Dolorosa (1989) earned a South African Music Award for Best Gospel Production and remains one of his standout works. Many of his compositions have been recorded by well-known Afrikaans artists such as Dana Winner, Gé Korsten, Coenie de Villiers, Rina Hugo, Jak de Priester, Sonja Herholdt and Carike Keuzenkamp. Alongside his music, he wrote several devotional books and song collections, including Wandel met Jesus, ’n Jaar met Jesus and Jesus se Woorde vir Elke Dag, as well as children’s hymnals and two children’s Bibles. His themed albums and Liedboek compilations frequently reached gold or platinum status.
His impact on children’s ministry became particularly strong through series such as Loflaaities and Lofkleuters, which introduced simple Afrikaans praise songs to younger audiences and became widely used in churches and schools. These projects earned him the affectionate nickname die Loflaaitie-sanger.
Across his career, Jan received a long list of industry honours. His compositions “Ek verlang na jou” and “Sonder jou” earned Sarie Awards in 1975 and 1976. Via Dolorosa secured a SAMA Award, and he received multiple ATKV Lier awards, including an honorary certificate acknowledging his contribution to Afrikaans gospel music. He was also recognised at events such as Huisgenoot Skouspel and Gospel Skouspel. Beyond awards, he played a significant role in developing the Afrikaans gospel industry through organisations he helped establish, including Christian Artists SA and the South African Gospel Music Association (SAGMA).
Many cultural commentators credit him as one of the key figures who brought modern Christian music into Afrikaans worship services. His recordings, books, concerts, and worship leadership helped churches embrace a more contemporary style of praise from the 1970s onwards. His influence extended into church life, national Christian festivals, radio and television ministry, and even tour groups he led to Israel. Younger Afrikaans worship artists, including his son Arnold, often cite him as an inspiration, and the structures he helped build through SAGMA continue to support the industry today.
Jan is married to Jeanette, a former teacher from Namibia. They have three adult children: Petri, Jacomien, and Arnold, and a growing number of grandchildren. Outside of music, he has a passion for endurance and adventure, having completed ten Comrades Marathons and regularly leading motorcycle tours through the European Alps. His personal motto, Soli Deo Gloria, reflects how he views every part of his life.
From his earliest recording as a teenager to his longstanding role as a respected gospel figure, Jan de Wet’s life weaves together ministry, music, and family. His decades of albums, tours, writings and worship leadership have left a deep and lasting imprint on the Afrikaans Christian music landscape.