Kearoma marks 27 years with night of music, memories
Laone Choeunyane | Tuesday August 11, 2026 10:33
On Saturday night, that journey was celebrated at Avani Hotel and Resort, where the afro-soul vocalist launched her latest album, Zambezi Soul, alongside her 27th anniversary in music. It was a night driven by nostalgia, celebration and plenty of music. The audience came dressed for the occasion, with fans turning up in their finest looks.
Once the performances got underway, the crowd was on their feet, dancing and singing along to songs that have become part of the soundtrack of their lives.
Kearoma was at the centre of it all, commanding the stage through a series of performances and wardrobe changes.
She looked stunning throughout, but it was her ability to move between celebration and vulnerability that gave the performance its depth.
Midway through the show, the mood shifted as Kearoma paid tribute to her father, the man she credits with first teaching her how to sing.
It was a deeply personal moment in an otherwise lively evening, offering the audience a glimpse into the roots of the artist they had come to celebrate.
She soon brought the energy back with Mmamodisana, a longtime favourite that had the crowd singing along, before performing Zambezi Soul, the title track from her new album.
The story behind the album is perhaps more revealing than the music itself.
Kearoma explained that Zambezi Soul was born during a period when the stages had gone quiet and opportunities to perform had become scarce. With life still demanding its usual responsibilities, she found herself with more silence than she was used to.
“Zambezi Soul was born from an empty space. It was born from silence because there were no shows,” she said.
Instead of allowing that silence to end her creative journey, she turned to writing. She began working on the album quietly in April, using the period to explore a different sonic direction.
The result is a project that moves beyond some of the sounds associated with her earlier work while retaining the emotional quality that has long been central to her music.
The anniversary celebration also brought together some of Botswana’s established musical voices.
South African musician, Johnny Mokhali closed the performances with some of his classics alongside his partner, while Vee Mampeezy, Shanti Lo and other performers added tributes and covers to the evening.
Together, the performances created a musical journey across generations, taking the audience through songs that have shaped Botswana’s musical memories.
By the end of the night, Zambezi Soul had become more than an album launch. It was a celebration of a career that has survived changing tastes, quiet periods and the demands of life beyond music. After 27 years, Kearoma is still writing, performing and, as Saturday night demonstrated, she is still finding new ways to make the audience sing along.