By Michael Lannas
It seems like yesterday when vocalist, Edwin Hama, caught the imagination of Zimbabwean listeners and set the local music industry ablaze with his music that dwelt on prevailing social and economic issues.
In his heyday he was second to none. He was more than just an artiste; he was a musician-cum-socio-economic commentator.
His early 1990s chart toppers, Waiting for A New Day, Asilamali, Today’s Paper and “Dreams of a Home” bear testimony to that.
Reflecting the lives of a people that were failing to make ends meet during Zimbabwe’s transition to the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme, better known by its acronym, ESAP, they had one thing in common- seemingly prophesying the country’s ongoing economic woes.
Today, decades down the line, fans could be pardoned for saying the one most common thing about the songs is that they are prophetic.
While many a prophet cannot live to see their prophecies come to pass, Edwin did. Hama died on July 2 2007 at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo a few weeks after celebrating his 40th birthday.
The Ganya, Gokwe born artist succumbed to a short illness.
A great loss indeed to Zimbabwe and to The Zimbabwean Music Industry. The revelers were in love with his music in his heyday. Hama was talented and that his music appealed most to the toiling members of the public is not debatable.
An account of Music in post-Independence Zimbabwe is incomplete without the mention of Edwin Hama.
Asilamali, Suffer Continue while Waiting for A New Day . . . Classics
MHSRIP
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