Zanzibar Sauti za Busara Festival celebrates 20th anniversary

The two decades have been eventful as the festival entertained, inspired diverse audiences, and facilitating collaboration and exchanges between local and international musicians.

Organisers say the hailed by BBC, CNN, OkayAfrica, Afropop Worldwide and others as ‘one of Africa’s best and most respected music events will once again set to showcase emerging talents alongside established artists, as always the festival highlights music with cultural identity.

From 10 to 12 February 2023, Sauti za Busara will feature a diverse line-up of musicians and a carefully curated programme that will celebrates the more experimental side of live music.

The upcoming edition will run under the theme, Tofauti Zetu, Utajiri Wetu (Our diversity, our wealth): Featuring well-known and upcoming bands from all regions of the African Continent.

In a statement issued by the festival director, Mr Yusuf Mahmoud mentions, ‘our spotlight shines brightly on quality and diverse live music from across Africa, especially women musicians, young and emerging talents with unique sounds, powerful messages, excitement and energy on stage.”

With uncertainty after years of donor support from the Norwegian Embassy expired in March 2022, then Blue Amber Resort cancelling their sponsor agreement only six months later, Busara Promotions, the NGO behind the festival, almost had to close its doors. As announced only a month ago, Fumba Town, a project by CPS came to the rescue with a sponsorship deal to cover most of the organisation’s office running costs until March 2025.

Tobias Dietzold, Chief Commercial Officer of CPS said on signing the agreement, “We are committed to keeping the Sauti za Busara festival robust and dynamic for the next few years as we enjoy our rich and diverse cultural heritage through live music. Through this partnership, we want to ensure that, at the minimum, the next three Busara festivals and the culture that surrounds them continue to thrive.”

This year’s line-up includes Mzee wa Bwax who will represents Singeli, Tanzania’s pride, Patricia Hilary, Damian Soul, Zawose Reunion, Stone Town Rockerz, Uwaridi Female Band, Zan Ubuntu, Supa Kalulu, Zenji Boy na Wenzake, Waungwana Band and Culture Musical Club, Zanzibar’s traditional taarab orchestra that was founded in 1958.

Other highlights includes Tiken Jah Fakoly, (Ivory Coast),  BCUC- Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness (South Africa), Asia Madani (Sudan), Naxx Bitota (DRC), Sana Cissokho (Senegal), Atse Tewodros (Ethiopia), Majestad Negra, (Puerto Rico), Nancy Mutize ‘Nasibo’ (Zimbabwe) and Zily, (France).

Revelers will purchase their tickets that are to be sold with all-festival passes for Tanzanians costing Sh20, 000 for three days, or Sh10, 000 for single day tickets, according to the festival organisers