Sungura female bassist born

Lovemore Meya Arts Correspondent
Gone are the days when women were only backing vocalists. Nowadays, more women are taking charge of the instruments as in the case with female bassist Edna Makanda affectionately known as “Mama Hanah”. Hailing from the satellite town of Stapleford in Mt Hampden, Harare, the lanky bassist is following in the footsteps of Edith we-Utonga. Edna — a guitarist, singer and composer — is set to take the music scene by storm judging from the way she plays the instrument.

She joined forces with her three sons —Washington Lungu, Achron and Lameck Makanda — to come up with their sungura group called “Mulungute naMakanda Xpress”.
“I started playing the instrument in 2001 in Chiweshe after developing an interest through my husband’s playing skills. He would play it with precision and I told myself that I could do it as well.

“My husband used to have a band, but they failed to make it. We formed a group as a family, but our children were still too young to be allowed to perform in clubs,” she said.

About their album, “Wedzera Ndokuita Kwazvo”, band leader Washington said it was a dream come true.
“We started music a long time ago, but failed to record as a result of financial constrains. However, our breakthrough came this year when we recorded our debut seven-track album,” he said.

The album dwells on social commentary and calls for everyone to persevere in whatever they choose to do in life.
It opens up with a track “Makwikwi” which talks about competition in life, followed by “Imba”, “Pane Chakanaka”, “Havarumbidze”, Chinokupedza Simba”, “Zawo” and “Chiuyai Jehovha”.

Resources permitting, the band is likely to make an impact on the mainstream music scene judging by their superb first album.