Ethel Kamwendo Banda | |
Birth Date: | 22 November 1969 |
Birth Place: | Blantyre, Malawi |
Occupation: | Musician songwriter |
Years Active: | 1998–present |
Ethel Timba Kambenje, popuraly known as Ethel Kamwendo Banda, is a Malawian gospel musician from Blantyre.[1] [2] She has released several albums and DVDs. She has won Best Female Gospel Artist (Malawi Music Awards) and Best Gospel Album (Malawi Music Awards), as well as Best Video (Malawi Music Awards).[3]
Banda was born on November 22, 1969, in Blantyre as Ethel Timba Kambenje to Frone Timba, a kachasu brewer, and a banjo-playing father. She grew up in a Christian family and was exposed to music from a young age. She attended St. Columba Primary School and later went to St. Mary's Secondary School.
Banda started her music career at the age of nine with the Kamwendo Brothers Band. She later joined the Ravers Band, Wepaz, Mitondo, and Sapitwa, becoming a star vocalist. She has also performed with her brother Jack Kamwendo's One Mega Band. Her father, the late Kamwendo Phiri, was a banjo player, and she used to sing with her brothers, who later formed the Kamwendo Brothers Band.
Banda has released several albums and DVDs, which are among the best-selling in Malawi. She has won numerous awards, including:
Banda is married with three children.