Sauti za Busara 2022 kicks off today

11 Feb 2022 - 12:15

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

One of Africa’s leading music festivals, Sauti za Busara, kicks off today at the Old Fort in Stone Town, Zanzibar, with an array of artists from Tanzania and other parts of Africa.

Ugandan musician Suzan Kerunen is scheduled to play at Sauti za Busara 2022, which runs from 11 to 13 February in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Photo: Kalin Pashaliev

Apart from four groups that previously performed at the event, all the others will be playing at this year’s edition for the first time. Sauti za Busara festival director Yusuf Mahmoud called on Tanzanians and visitors from around the world to be part of the 19th edition of the event.

“Today we kick off a unique and magical experience when Zanzibar hosts three days and nights of 100% live African music,” Mahmoud said. “We are especially proud of this year’s festival programme, which is truly world-class with diverse music styles to satisfy audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

“The past two years were devastating years for artists, the creative industry and cultural tourism due to the global pandemic. Sauti za Busara is possibly the only African music festival that continued to operate, demonstrating resilience and agility in its support for artists, while emphasising the power of music to keep hope alive.”

This year’s festival will run under the theme, Paza Sauti: Amplifying Women’s Voices to acknowledge the challenges faced by female artists in Tanzania and beyond.

“Our festival pays special attention to the selection of female artists, encouraging their presence on stage as well as behind the scenes. We also give priority to artists who use their music to promote peace, unity, human rights, freedom of expression and respect for cultural diversity,” Mahmoud said.

Female artists that are scheduled to perform this year are Sampa the Great (Zambia), Siti & The Band (Zanzibar), Msaki (South Africa), Nomfusi (South Africa), Suzan Kerunen (Uganda), Fanie Fayar (Congo-Brazzaville), Upendo Manase (Tanzania) and Bahati Female Band (Tanzania). They will be joined by their male counterparts including Sjava (South Africa), Zan Ubuntu (Zanzibar), Nadi Ikhwan Safaa (Zanzibar), Ben Pol (Tanzania), Sholo Mwamba (Tanzania), Vitali Maembe (Tanzania), Wamwiduka Band (Tanzania), Sylent Nqo (Zimbabwe) and Evans ‘Pfumela’ Mapfumo (Zimbabwe), among others.

Tickets to Sauti za Busara 2022 can be bought at the venue. Tanzanians can enter the venue from as little as 6 000 Tanzanian shillings (about $2.50) per day. More ticketing info is available here.

Check out Music In Africa’s playlists featuring seven musicians not to miss at Sauti za Busara 2022.