Amb. Igor CESAR attended at the House of World Cultures (HKW) tribute concert dedicated to African icon Miriam Makeba under the patronage of Ms. Jeanne Ndatirwa and HKW Director/Chief curator, Prof. Dr. Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung. The Miriam Makeba Hall resonated with the voice of New York-based Rwandan/Ugandan Grammy-nominated musician Somi who celebrated the legend under the theme: her performance "Re-Imagining Miriam Makeba.

Singer, composer, and actress Somi Kakoma conceived this program in honor of Miriam Makeba years ago; the final performance now takes place in the fitting setting of the Miriam Makeba Auditorium at the HKW (Haus der Kulturen der Welt). Somi Kakoma, known simply by her first name in the jazz world, was born in Illinois, where her parents had migrated from Rwanda and Uganda. She developed an early interest in the musical connections between Africa and the Americas, an interest fostered by her mentor, Hugh Masekela. Somi is now a Grammy-nominated musician, acclaimed Broadway performer, and playwright.

In her performance, Somi re-engages with Makeba's music from her own artistic perspective, weaving together elements of jazz, soul, and African musical traditions to highlight the political and emotional scope of Makeba's work. Based on Somi's 2022 album Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba,  the program expands upon its themes of origin, voice, and artistic legacy.