Edwin Hama
Edwin Celani Hamandawana popularly known as Edwin Hama was a Zimbabwean musician. Hama was well known for the songs Asila Mali, Waiting for a New Day and Today's Paper which became hits in the early 1990s. Hama was known as the "Squatter Ambassador" for his songs about the struggles of ordinary Zimbabweans.
Background
Edwin Hama was born in Ganya, Gokwe.[1]
Career
Edwin Hama released his last album Suffer Continue in the late 1990s before he disappeared from the public eye. There was speculation that Hama was struggling to make ends meet. Albert Nyathi said before his death, Hama had become an alcoholic saying:
"At times we argued, yes, he loved his brown bottle and at times it became difficult to control him but he was a good brother to me. He had gone into hard times financially and I guess that’s a lesson to most artistes that investment while one is at the top is very important.”
Hama once performed with Chirikure Chirikure at Hifa where his guitar work blended nicely with spoken word poetry. Hama was the resident musician at Amakhosi Cultural Centre.[2]
He was a member of the band Illanga before he went solo.[3]
Albums
- Today's Paper
- Suffer Continue
Death
Edwin Hama died on July 2 at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo a few weeks after celebrating his 40th birthday.
References
- ↑ Orbituary for Great Zim musician: Edwin Hama (SA) (11-07-07), The Zimbabwean, Published: July 11, 2007, Retrieved: June 24, 2021
- ↑ Bruce Ndlovu,The sad last days of Edwin Hama…. . . peers speak on Asila Mali hit-maker’s dying days, Sunday News, Published: July 1, 2018, Retrieved: June 24, 2021
- ↑ Zimbabwe Loses Three Prominent Musicians This Month, VOA, Published: November 01, 2009, Retrieved: June 24, 2021
