12 Aug 2026

Music has a strange ability to fold time. One minute you are sitting in a modern ballroom and the next, a single horn line or vocal swell transports you straight into the golden era of African jazz and global pop.

That was the magic on tap when local songstress, Kearoma Rantao, unveiled her latest album, Zambezi Soul, at the Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino recently. 

Billed as Rhythm Through the Ages under the glittering banner of 60’s, 70’s, 80’s,  Legacy Glamour, the night was less of a standard album launch and more of a grand and cross-generational love letter to the icons who paved the way.Rather than keeping the spotlight entirely on herself, Rantao transformed the stage into a living museum of sound. 

The evening’s standout moments came through a powerhouse line-up of tribute performances that paired local heavyweights with global legends. 

Punah Gabasiane channelled the majestic strength of Miriam Makeba, while Nnunu Ramogotsi tackled the soaring vocal heights of Whitney Houston. 

Nono Siile brought the velvety acoustic warmth of Jonathan Butler, Fifi Afrika electrified the room with the raw energy of Tina Turner and Shanti-Lo delivered a show-stopping nod to the late and great Brenda Fassie.

Adding to the genre-bending feast, crowd favourites Johnny Mokhali and Vee Mampeezy took to the stage and ensured that the energy spanned everything from classic melodies to high-octane modern rhythms. 

Between sets, DJs Mox, Buddhahblaz, Jazzman, Ms Laura and Bats Matash kept the floor warm and weaving decades of hitmaking into a seamless sonic tapestry.

For Rantao, launching Zambezi Soul against this backdrop was a deliberate choice and a way to anchor her new project within the deep lineage of southern African music.

“I am so grateful to my team, the organisers and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this launch a success,” Rantao said after the show. 

“A big thank you to Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino for hosting us and supporting the vision. To the artistes who gave their time and talent and to everyone who came out to support, thank you. This night was about honouring those who came before us and I’m proud that we did it together,” she added.

Meanwhile, weaving the roots of the past into the unveiling of her future, Rantao reminded everyone in attendance that while eras changed, true soul was timeless. ends