‘Pata Pata’ Hit-Song Reliven For Covid-19 Awareness!

‘Pata Pata’ Hit-Song Reliven For Covid-19 Awareness! The world-famous and Grammy- winning hit ‘Pata Pata’ in Xhosa language which translates ‘touch touch’ by Miriam Makeba has been reworked with hopes to spread awareness around Coronavirus.

Makeba who was popularly known as Mama Africa released and named this song after the dance move that was quite popular in Johannesburg in the 1960s. The artist had released a number of songs before, but Pata Pata became the most endured smash hit that won the hearts of many globally.

This song brought joy to South Africans in hard times under apartheid rule. And today, Angelique Kidjo who was mentored by Makeba has revamped the song in 2020 with hopes it brings greater information about the Coronavirus in a joyful manner.

Kidjo’s added lyrics includes: “We need to keep our hands clean so ‘No Pata Pata’ … Don’t touch your face, keep distance please and ‘No Pata Pata'”

The UN Children’s Agency UNICEF, which organized the release, announced that the song will be played on more than 15 radio stations across African countries on Thursday.

“It sounds so simple and yet it’s still really difficult to get information out to people in the most remote areas or to people who aren’t online,” said UNICEF spokesman James Elders. Radio does the trick everytime,” he added.

Kidjo said the song is a reminder of her late friend, a Jazz artist Manu Dibango, who died of COVID-19 earlier this month.

“Mani inspired me. Miriam inspired me. And Pata Pata gave me hope. Pata Pata has always been there for people at times of struggle. I hope it helps once more,” said Kidjo in a statement.