Hamlet Mufandaidza finally re-joins his brother fr...

Hamlet Mufandaidza finally re-joins his brother from another father, Andy Brown in posterity

Takawira Photoveteran Dapi

Hamlet Zhou Mufandaidza was found dead in his room in Kuwadzana, Harare this Wednesday.

Hamlet, who was living alone in Kuwadzana, reportedly succumbed to diarrhoea according to family sources.

Born on April 18, 1974, Hamlet was a cousin to the late music guru Andy Brown.

Shingairai Zondiwe Shoko Munhlangana was an elder sister to Hamlet’s mother, Geziwe Nkaulo Shoko Munhlangana. The two sisters seem to have bequeathed the musical gene to their sons.

Hamlet, speaking to this reporter during his last show at Bar Rouge, Belvedere, Harare, dubbed “Andy Brown Resurrects In Hamlet (ABRIHAMLET)”, spoke of growing up with his big brother Andy Brown in Mberengwa herding livestock.

“We loved singing and we would fashion guitars using empty metal Olivine Oil 5 litre containers. “We were self-taught but went on teach many village youths how to play a guitar and clap hands, while, ululating and singing in perfect melody, kwete kutaura,” reminisced Hamlet.

Hamlet also said Brown grew up a typical rural child and would often be laughed at for his deep Karanga accent and failure to utter a single English word in spite of his mixed heritage.

“Everyone thought Andy was superior to the rest of us because he had white blood,” said Hamlet.

Hamlet enjoyed the status bestowed upon him by peers as the only boy with a “white brother”.

But at some point during the liberation struggle, Andy’s perceived superiority became a negative factor.

“Andy’s mother was accused of sleeping with the enemy,” said Hamlet.

Andy transferred to Bulawayo, where he later joined Don Gumbo’s in Ilanga band.

Hamlet said Andy left many guitars for him in Mberengwa.

Hamlet became popular in rural circles as he could produce ad hoc renditions of songs popular on radio on the homemade guitars.

Hamlet added that, Andy would return to the village often and later gave him another acoustic guitar, a proper one, not homemade.

Hamlet said Andy’s relationship with Don Gumbo kept on getting sour and confrontational over remuneration.

One day, Andy just packed his bags and went back to his Mberengwa home.

“That was when he took me to Harare to start The Storm Band,” said Hamlet who became the founding rhythmist, backing vocalist and lead vocal harmoniser while Andy led the band on vocals and lead guitar.

Keith Ferquason was on keyboards, Sam “Samataure” Mataure on drums, Adam Chisvo on mbira and congas with Mwendi Chibindi and Chiwoniso Maraire as the female vocalists.

The Storm Band produced hit after hit and were a very serious outfit that defied odds and would fill venues.

At Sports Diner, Harpers and Oasis Hotel and other hangouts around Zimbabwe they would pack the venues even midweek.

While others eventually found their own way in the industry, Hamlet remained loyal to his brother to the end.

According to his nephew, Mkululi Maranda Hokoro, Hamlet’s body was taken to his rural Mberengwa home to be laid besides Andy Brown and others.

Jazz 105 Promotions’ legendary music promoter, Josh Hozheri said Hamlet “was a talented artist who worked well with others in the Band Storm”.

“To all promoters, let’s us learn to include the old artistes when we promote these current ones. To all artistes, please quickly record all your songs daily because death is unpredictable,” said Josh Hozheri.

Hamlet will be buried this today in Taperesu Village, Mberengwa.

He is survived by three daughters with the youngest aged 15.