African Music lights up Zanzibar, 100% Live!

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Sauti za Busara 2021

Sauti za Busara festival 2021 took place at the iconic Old Fort in Stone Town, Zanzibar on 12 – 13 February, with a vibrant and eclectic programme of live music representing Zanzibar, Tanzania, Uganda, Lesotho and Algeria.

The spotlight shone on young and emerging talents, including

Dulla Makabila, Tanzania;Sandra Nankoma, Uganda; Morena Leraba, Lesotho; TaraJazz, Zanzibar; Stone Town Rockerz, Zanzibar; Siti Muharam, Zanzibar; Shabo Makota, Tanzania; Zenji Boy, Zanzibar; Richie Lumambo, Tanzania; Tofa Boy, Zanzibar, who performed alongside established heavyweights such as Vitali Maembe, Tanzania; Msafiri Zawose, Tanzania; Djam, Algeria and Barnaba Classic, Tanzania.

Over the past year many times we wondered, did it really make sense to go ahead with the festival? Audiences voted resoundingly with their feet however, with two and three thousand people attending the event each day.

No part of the world is free of the coronavirus, but the people of Tanzania have found ways to live with it. Ali Juma, a local trader at the festival, said the virus is not going to disappear anytime soon, noting we must learn to live with it by taking precautions as addressed by our health experts. Communities have to adapt to survive and stay alive, because “no one is going to bring food to our doorsteps”. Artists echoed his sentiments during and after their performances, emphasizing their very survival depends on performance opportunities, with freedoms that no longer exist in most countries around the world.

With international artists facing travel challenges, the festival adapted its programme to focus mainly on highlighting Tanzanian talents. We thank all donors, sponsors and media partners who supported the event, including Plus Television who broadcasted live highlights across Africa on DStv channel 294.

Media Coverage

Sauti za Busara 2021: 2,500 Gather to Celebrate Music Unlocked

By The Arts Desk, 19 Feb 2021

“Although there were clearly some overseas visitors, travel restrictions meant the international numbers were down, which is why the stream on Plus TV was put in place to keep in touch with audiences across Africa and beyond. As so often, the pandemic has led to innovations that will probably stay in place once the virus has passed”…read more

Sauti za Busara 2021: Organisers pull off successful fest amid challenging times

By Music in Africa, 17 Feb 2021

East Africa’s favourite festival Sauti za Busara was held at the historic Old Fort in Stonetown, Zanzibar, on 12 and 13 February. It brought together artists from South Africa, Algeria, Uganda and Tanzania for a weekend of eclectic performances under the theme, Alive & Kickin …read more

Messages of hope as Sauti za Busara reaches climax

The Citizen, 15 February 2021

The 18th edition of the Sauti za Busara came to hilarious climax on Saturday night after two days of performances that brought life to the Old Fort and Stone Town. Featuring an array of artistes who were performing for the first time on the iconic stage, the festival brought back distant memories of pre-pandemic years when the setting was a melting point of African culture. Singeli artist Dullah Makabila was a special attraction as he got the audience dancing to the final climax … read more

See more media highlights at www.busaramusic.org/media-coverage

See photo highlights at www.flickr.com/photos/sautizabusara

Our Environment, Our Life

Sauti za Busara 2021’s campaign was ‘Mazingira Yetu, Maisha Yetu’ (Our Environment, Our Life).

The project aimed to raise awareness, promote dialogue and action to help save our planet. Activities focussed on reusing and recycling, whilst drawing attention to the hazards of single-use plastic, ocean pollution, overfishing, deforestation and other local concerns.

In lead up to the festival, Busara Promotions collaborated with another NGO, The Creative Education Foundation Zanzibar, a charity school for orphans and disadvantaged children, enabling students to experience environmental education first-hand.

Over four day trips, forty students visited the Chumbe Island Coral Park eco-tourism project, where they learned about rainwater harvesting, water conservation, composting and sustainable gardening. In the classroom, they studied coral reefs and fishes, then walked to view mangrove forests and learn how islands are formed. Discussions on the dangers of plastics and other pollutants followed with snorkelling activities, for an up close and personal understanding of our marine ecosystems.

After the day trips, students prepared art works which were included in the ‘Mazingira Yetu, Maisha Yetu’ Exhibition, on display in Stone Town at Hifadhi Zanzibar.

Emerson Foundation Music Award

Congratulations to Khamis Maulid Mwita, winner of the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Music Award 2021, who received 2,000,000 TZS, together with a trophy and certificate. This year’s theme, ‘Old is Gold’, was aimed at upcoming traditional taarab singers. Judges warmly congratulated all the participants for outstanding performances.

The EZF Music Award continues to assist young and talented Zanzibaris in gaining recognition and opportunities. It forms part of an ongoing legacy of the late Emerson D. Skeens, a visionary who co-founded Zanzibar International Film Festival, the Dhow Countries Music Academy and Sauti za Busara. Whilst Emerson’s initiatives aimed at supporting local people, he also created the world famous boutique hotels, Emerson Spice and Emerson on Hurumzi.

Busara Xtra EZF Music Award at Sauti za Busara 2021 (photo Marc Ngotonie)

Thanks to Partners & Sponsors

Many thanks to all donors, sponsors, partners, friends and supporters, including CRDB Bank, Serikali ya Mapinduzi ya Zanzibar, Zanlink, Emerson Zanzibar, ZIFF, Plus TV, Chuchu FM, ZBC, Zanzibar Cable TV, Music In Africa, Pili Pili Hotels, Firefly Bagamoyo, 2Tech Security, Coastal Aviation, DCMA Zanzibar, Tasakhtaa Hospital, ZESS, Golden Tulip Dar City Centre, La Taverna Restaurant, Café Foro, Stone Town Café, Zanzibar Serena Hotel, Mozeti Tours & Safaris, Azam Marine, Colors of Zanzibar, Swahili Soft Technologies, United Petroleum, ZANREC, Dar Life and more.

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