29 Aug 2019

 Local jazz artist Kearoma Rantao will host a three-day concert to raise 1 000 sanitary pads for disadvantaged girls.

Speaking at a press briefing in Gaborone on August 27, Kearoma revealed that the show dubbed The Kearoma & Friends aims to raise sanitary pads, to empower and give young girls dignity.   

The three-day event will kick off at Millennium Jazz club on September 6, then proceed to Vintage Pub & Grill in Mochudi on September 7.  

The show’s last leg is billed for Basilico Italian Restaurant on September 8 and the organiser revealed that Basilico show is already sold out.  She revealed that the concert, will feature Berry Heart and South Africa artistes, Palesa, Vuyokazi and Lisina.

The member of Women of Jazz ensemble said after an encounter with a Swaziland artiste she realised that it would be worthy to collaborate with other artistes for good causes. She said together with her friends, they intended to extend the initiative to other countries. 

“We share stage with different artistes and we can use such platforms to share and exchange ideas concerning issues of concern in our respective countries,”she said.

Rantao highlighted that proceeds would be donated to young school girls in need of sanitary pads, more especially in rural areas where most of the girls are faced with poverty.

Due to poverty, some girls on their menstruation days miss school due to lack of sanitary pads, she noted.    

“This increased absenteeism and dropout affects the performance of the girl child. I am confident that by providing sanitary pads, many girls will concentrate and complete school. With increased performance, the gender gap between boys and girls will be reduced,” she said.

She appealed to the show’s patrons to bring along a pack of pads to support the initiative which would also promote healthy learning environment

The area MP, Dr Phenyo Butale, said the creative industry was a multi-billion pula industry which could bear good fruit in the future. 

He applauded the event organisers for such a great initiative, which would give young girls dignity and enable them to focus on their studies.

Meanwhile, tickets are sold at P50 at web tickets. ENDS