“What you see is what you get,” that’s how gospel musician and philanthropist Wendy Harawa describes herself.

Her name does not need introduction in the entertainment circles as she has been around for a while.

Harawa: Charity work complements my music

She became a house hold name in the early 2000s while in Zembani Band and, of course, with her collaboration with Lulu in Sindilichomcho, a single hit which became an anthem to music fanatics.

Through music, Wendy has won local and international awards, inspiring many artists with her talent and dedication.

In January this year, she scooped two awards in Uganda. These were the Royal Gospel Musical Awards— Southern Africa Song of the Year and Southern Africa Artist of the Year.

Her winning song is Hallelujah, a collaboration with Zambian Abel Chingu

In 2021, her song Zikomo, won the Royal Gospel Music Awards song of the year, also in Uganda.

Locally, Wendy won the Lifetime Achievement Award in Urban Music People Awards in 2000.

She also won the 2022 Maso Video of the Year Award and Best in Excellence in Music Award this year by the Business in Detail Magazines.

Reacting to these awards, the songstress says the recognition affirms she is on the right direction, attributing it all to the grace of God.

“I am passionate about music and enjoy what I do because it brings joy to my soul.

“Music brings light to my soul whether I am sad or happy. I thank God for my ability to share with the world my passion,” she narrates.

Harawa (C): It has been an amazing exeprience

Wendy confesses she is a different person when singing.

She claims to have discovered her talent while young as part of a Sunday school choir.

The musician says she also would get a part in the main choir to start a song.

Wendy adds: “There is no age limit when it comes to achieving one’s dreams. I am grateful and happy that being a born again Christian has helped my purpose and destiny.”

Six years ago, the then self-styled ragga artist made a surprise decision to turn to gospel music after she became born-again.

Her decision was met with cynicism and many thought she wouldn’t last for a long time.

She, however, seems to be growing and reaching new heights, even working with international artists.

“I have a company that manages other artists with potential. Music can be a side hustle or a full time job. But as a musician, I always advise other musicians to invest elsewhere, too because music is seasonal. As a result, only few people become legends,” she says.

She attributes her consistency to discipline.

The gospel star believes each person falls down at some point, but what happens after is what matters.

“There have been times I have fallen down, newspapers writing about my downfalls and I wished I quit. But I still dusted myself and moved on.

“Prayer and the Holy Spirit also play a role in my consistency. My parents always told me to aim higher. The person I am is a dream come true. I don’t compete with anyone,” she says.

One of Wendy’s challenges as was about her gender.

She says:”People would not look at me the same way as Dan Lu, Lulu or Lucius Banda. They saw me as a woman.

“And also, I met people who wanted to exploit me unless I do what they wanted which needs one to be strong and know your value.

“But things have changed. People are respecting female artists in a male dominated industry, but challenges remain.”

The multi-award winner is not signed to any record label.

After finishing her marketing course, she started working and investing in music shows as a promoter.

She is also part of Impakt Events, a company which organises shows, including Sand Music Festival.

“I am also a trader and farmer. The money I get in these fields is invested it my music.

“I have not attended any school to learn music, just a vocal tanning. I was influenced by Rebecca Malope, Celine Dion and Brenda Fassie,” says Wendy.

The singer also opens up about her recent album which was released last year saying it’s one of her greatest projects.

Wendy worked with different producers from different countries, but admittedly, she didn’t promote it that much.

“It was God’s grace to invite gospel artist Travis Greene and his band from the USA to be part of my launch,” she says.

One of her favourite songs in her career is Mundisunge Ndinu , a remake from her previous album when she was doing secular.

Her favourite collaboration is Akuona featuring Kenyan musician Guardian Angel. She also loves the songs, I believe she did with Lulu and Hallelujah.

She founded the Wendy Harawa Foundation, a charity innovation to help the widows and orphans.

Her goal is to reach as many people as possible.

“Much as we give them a shoulder, we want to empower them by imparting different skills for independence.

“I am on a charity tour in different countries, reaching out to different people,” she says.

Wendy did her primary school at Chichiri and attended different secondary schools, but wrote her Malawi School Certificate Education at Mary Mount Secondary School.

Later, she attained computer and marketing certificates.

Apart from performing and reaching out to the underprivileged, Wendy is one of the judges at Malawi’s Got Talent.

She has balanced her career and family over the years and is grateful to her late husband who was there in her early career years and the one who introduced her to Lucius Banda.

During her free time, she loves to cook and travel. Wendy also enjoys reaching out to people.

The post Wendy Harawa: Award winning gospel musician first appeared on The Nation Online.