SAUTI ZA BUSARA’S IMMEDIATE FUTURE IS SAFEAFTER SWISS CASH INJECTION
(Posted 04th February 2017)
Sauti Za Busara, which last year to the regret of thousands of music and performing arts fans had to be cancelled due to a lack of funds, can now look ahead into a more secure future.
The Swiss Embassy earlier in the week presented the organization with a cheque worth 260 million Tanzania Shillings for the next three editions of East Africa’s most popular music and art festival.
This year’s edition, number 13, goes underway in less than a week and will run from the 09th to the 12th of February, once again staged in the Stone Town on Zanzibar’s main island of Unguja, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.More than 400 artists from about 40 groups will be performing live music, covering Africa like no other festival of its kind.
Reports from Zanzibar speak of ‘full house’ though it is understood that some rooms may still be available, as are seats on the dozens of scheduled flights every day between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
2017 Line-up Announced!
Flying the "Africa United" flag, this year’s festival will feature 400 artists (40 groups) performing live on three stages:
Rocky Dawuni (Ghana) Sarabi (Kenya)Pat Thomas & Kwashibu Area Band(Ghana / Germany) Simba & Milton Gulli (Mozambique) Jagwa Music(Tanzania) Bob Maghrib (Morocco) Karyna Gomes (Guinea Bissau) Sami Dan & Zewd Band (Ethiopia) Chibite Zawose Family (Tanzania) Rajab Suleiman & Kithara (Zanzibar) Wahapahapa Band (Tanzania) Buganda Music Ensemble(Uganda) Batimbo Percussion Magique (Burundi) Kyekyeku (Ghana) H_art the Band (Kenya) Grace Barbé (Seychelles) Roland Tchakounté (Cameroon / France) Imena Cultural Troupe (Rwanda) Isau Meneses (Mozambique) Sahra Halgan Trio (Somaliland) Tausi Women’s Taarab (Zanzibar) Swahili Encounters(Zanzibar / Various) CAC Fusion (Tanzania) Ze Spirits Band (Tanzania) Loryzine(Reunion) Madalitso Band (Malawi) Mswanu Gogo Vibes (Tanzania) Matona’s G Clef Band (Zanzibar) Afrijam Band (Tanzania) Cocodo African Music Band(Tanzania) Kiumbizi (Pemba) Rico & the Band (Zanzibar) Usambara Sanaa Group (Tanzania) Mcharuko Band (Zanzibar) Taarab – Kidumbak Group(Zanzibar) and more
The festival is 100% live, proudly showcasing quality, originality and innovation, with priority for young and emerging artists and music with cultural identity.
Festival Events
Sauti za Busara brings together people from around the world to celebrate African music under African skies. Click here to see Festival Timetable.
| February | Time | Events |
| Tue 7 | 10:00 | Tickets – On the Door A limited number of festival passes and day tickets on sale at Old Fort Reception. See details |
| daily | 14:00 | Movers & Shakers: for invited musicians and arts professionals. Programme includes: Digital Opportunities Workshop for East African artists to increase their online visibility and Censorship vs. Freedom of Expression Seminar. See details |
| Thu 9 | 15:00 | Batimbo Percussion Magique (Burundi) free performance at Mnarani Michenzani |
| Thu 9 | 16:15 | Carnival Parade: All are welcome to join the festival kick off from Mnarani Michenzani to Forodhani. |
| daily | 16:00 | Forodhani stage – free shows daily in the gardens |
| daily | 19:00 | Main venue performances inside the Old Fort |
| daily | Busara Xtra: Festival Fringe events happening across the island. See noticeboards, programmes, website & social media for latest updates | |
| Tue 14 | 20:00 | After-Party: Festival vibes continue at Jambiani on Zanzibar’s East Coast for Valentines Night at Coco Blue |
