PRESS RELEASE     

4^th January 2022

Sauti za Busara 2022 amplifies women’s voices

Sauti za Busara festival brings people of different backgrounds together in unity, joy and celebration. Around the world, followers and fans of African music look forward to converge in Zanzibar for its 19th edition, set to rock the walls of Stone Town from Fri 11 – Sun 13 February.

As always, the festival shines a spotlight on live music from across Africa, including young and upcoming talents and a special priority on women artists from Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Congo and Zambia.

Among this year’s headline artists is Sampa The Great, whose unique blend of African hiphop is a journey to self-discovery, a climb to enlightenment as fuelled by her experiences living in Australia, and physical, spiritual and cultural inspirations from her ancestral home in Zambia. Sampa The Great has performed at many of the world’s most iconic festivals, winning a wave of adoring fans with her energetic shows.

“We don’t select artists simply because they are women,” says Yusuf Mahmoud, the festival director. “All artists at Sauti za Busara perform quality music with originality, innovation and energy, as will be loud and clear when Sampa The Great (Zambia), Siti & The Band (Zanzibar), Msaki and Nomfusi (South Africa), Suzan Kerunen (Uganda), Fanie Fayar (Congo) and Upendo Manase (Tanzania) perform on stage next month under the banner ‘Paza Sauti: Amplifying Women’s Voices’.

Other artists highlights at this coming edition include Sjava (South Africa), Sholo Mwamba and Wamwiduka Band (Tanzania), Maallem Abdelkebir Merchane (Morocco), Dendri Stambeli Movement (Tunisia), Sylent Nqo and Evans 'Pfumela' Mapfumo (Zimbabwe), Zan Ubuntu and Nadi Ikhwan Safaa (Zanzibar) and more.

For almost two decades, Sauti za Busara festival has been the pivot for a regional music ecosystem that expands horizons whilst offering platforms for employment, trade, artistic expression, collaboration, networking, training and skills development, fostering social cohesion, unity and solidarity across borders.

President Hussein Mwinyi of Zanzibar recently commended the festival for bringing many benefits to the islands. Addressing potential sponsors, he said: “I congratulate the Sauti za Busara team for their great commitment and achievements to keep the festival alive, and special thanks to all the donors and sponsors who make it possible. I also congratulate and thank the many musicians who have made this a globally renowned event that attracts more and more visitors each year.”

Special prices are offered for all Tanzanians attending the event, at 6,000/- TSh per day or 16,000/- Tsh for an all-festival 3-day pass.

The 19^th Sauti za Busara festival, 11 - 13 February 2022 is powered by the Norwegian Embassy, the European Union, CRDB Bank, Zanlink, and more. For latest information, see www.busaramusic.org

For high resolution photos click here