Benjamin John Peter Tyamzashe was born 5 September 1890 in Kimberley. He obtained his Senior Teacher's Diploma and drawing Teacher's Diploma by studying privately between 1913 and 1924, while teaching at the Tiger Kloof Institution in Vryburg. In 1938, Tyamzashe’s wife with whom he had six children died and he later married Agnes Masango. He was invited to conduct a massed choir of 3000 school children at the welcoming ceremony of King George of Britain in Mthatha. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to music he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Fort Hare in 1975. Tyamzashe died at Frere Hospital, East London on June 04, 1978 at the age of 87 and was buried at Zinyoka location.
