26 Aug 2020

Jazz sensation, Kearoma Rantao, is one of individuals who continue to raise the country’s flag, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

She is among artists who virtually participated in a World Humanitarian Day (WHD) concert streamed on Youtube channel.

WHD was formalised as an annual international commemoration in 2009 by the United Nations General Assembly.

It was designated in memory of the August 19, 2003 bomb attack at the Canal hotel in Baghdad in Iraq, killing 22 people including a chief humanitarian in Iraq, Sergio Viera De Mello.

In an interview, Rantao said WHD was an annual international commemoration intended to recognise and honour frontline workers who continued to serve, provide support and protection to the needy people.

Rantao said this year’s commemoration coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said as frontline workers continued to serve people, it was imperative to celebrate and appreciate the services they rendered.

Rantao said the day was normally celebrated August 19, but this year it came a bit later due to adjustment for  a virtual event.

“Due to the safety measures imposed by the pandemic, social gathering activities had been brought to a halt and this called for interventions on how to continue with some of the world calendar celebrations, hence the delay,” she said.

She further said this year’s celebration was Indonesia’s  initiation to hold a charity concert.

Rantao said she participated along with Steve Hunter from Australia, Boris Savoldelli of Italy, Sisonke Xonti of South Africa, Ivan Nestorma and Putri Ayu both from Indonesia.

She said they performed two songs, one by Steve Wonder titled That is what friends are for and the other one was an Indonesian song by Rayuan Pulau Kelapa.

Additionally, she said all pledges and donations raised during the concert would be distributed among the needy in different parts of the world.

Kearoma said the Indonesian ambassador to South Africa, Salma Al Farisi suggested her invitation.

“After my performance at an event he attended, I further shared my music with him, he got interested and introduced me to some musicians in Indonesia for collaboration and cultural exchange programmes,” she said. BOPA