Zanzibar’s Sauti za Busara fest to mark 20 years this February

Considered one of Africa’s leading music festivals, the event will mark its 20 anniversary this year. Despite many challenges since its inception in 2003, particularly with regard to funding, Sauti za Busara has remained one of the most significant events on Africa’s cultural calendar by showcases quality African live music every year.

“This milestone is a testament to our exceptional team, many great artists, all the partners and sponsors, and the passionate audiences who have helped sustain and fuel our growth over the past 20 years,” festival director Yusuf Mahmoud says. “In the past two decades, we have been blessed with a historic and unique location and an incredible line-up of artists that has left everyone in attendance with lasting memories.”

Mahmoud says the festival has become a launch pad for many up-and-coming artists from the region. “Many artists who have performed at Sauti za Busara have gone on to be invited to other festivals across Africa and beyond. They include the likes of Tausi Women’s Taarab from Zanzibar, Madalitso Band from Malawi, Sarabi from Kenya, Msafiri Zawose from Tanzania, and many more,” he said.

This year’s edition will be no different, as the festival plans to serve up original performances that celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Africa under the theme Tofauti Zetu, Utajiri Wetu (Our Diversity, Our Wealth).

The 2022 line-up includes such acts as BCUC (South Africa), Tiken Jah Fakoly (Ivory Coast), Damian Soul (Tanzania), Sana Cissokho (Senegal) and Asia Madani (Sudan/Egypt), among others (see the full line-up below).

“When programming, we always ensure youth, women and marginalised artists are included. With unique performers representing North, East, West, Central and Southern Africa, we believe the attendees also share our excitement to discover and experience new music,” Mahmoud said.

Sauti za Busara 2022 will also host the Movers and Shakers networking sessions for music professionals, the Swahili Encounters collaborative programme for visiting musicians, Busara Plus events at Fumba Town and other locations in Stone Town, and the prestigious Emerson Zanzibar Music Award for upcoming local musicians.

Tickets are available here. View the full festival programme here.

Sauti za Busara 2023 line-up

• Asia Madani (Sudan/Egypt, roots traditional spiritual)
• Atse Tewodros Project (Ethiopia/Italy, jazz traditional)
• BCUC (South Africa, urban acoustic spiritual)
• Culture Musical Club (Zanzibar, taarab)
• Damian Soul (Tanzania, urban pop)
• DCMA Young Stars (Zanzibar, taarab-pop fusion)
• Kaloubadya (Reunion, roots traditional)
• Kikundi cha Idara ya Utamaduni (Zanzibar, acoustic traditional dance)
• Majestad Negra (Puerto Rico, roots dance traditional)
• Mzee wa Bwax (Tanzania, electro urban fusion)
• Nasibo (Zimbabwe, roots spiritual fusion)
• Naxx Bitota (DRC/Canada, rumba, roots fusion)
• Obert Dube (Zimbabwe, spoken word)
• Patricia Hillary (Tanzania, taarab)
• Sana Cissokho (Senegal, acoustic traditional roots)
• Stone Town Rockerz (Zanzibar, blues, pop, rock, reggae)
• Supa Kalulu (Zanzibar, various roots fusion)
• Swahili Encounters (Zanzibar, various fusion)
• Tiken Jah Fakoly (Côte d'Ivoire, roots reggae)
• Uwaridi Female Band (Zanzibar, coastal roots fusion)
• Waungwana Band (Zanzibar, roots taarab fusion)
• Zan Ubuntu (Zanzibar, roots, dance fusion)
• Zawose (Tanzania, acoustic traditional, roots fusion)
• Zenji Boy na Wenzake (Zanzibar, hiphop fusion, zenji flava)
• Zily (Mayotte, coastal roots fusion)