Sauti za Busara gets new sponsor, announces artist line-up

The partnership will see Fumba Town, a project by housing development company CPS, become the main sponsor of the festival.

The three-day festival has also announced the first batch of musicians performing at its next edition starting on 10 February 2023, featuring international artists from Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Senegal, Ethiopia, Puerto Rico, Mayotte and Reunion, among other countries. The line-up is available here.

The new sponsorship will be a big relief for the organisers, who had recently indicated that the 20th edition of the festival was in danger of being cancelled due to lack of funding. 

“Busara Promotions is delighted to announce that its core operational expenses for the next three years will largely be covered by CPS,” Sauti za Busara festival director Yusuf Mahmoud said.

The festival is known for showcasing diverse live acts from the continent and diaspora and for its emphasis on the preservation of local traditional music including taarab. The colourful event is held typically at the historic Old Fort, which was built in the late 1600s.

“The festival has been a vital part of Zanzibar’s culture,” CPS chief commercial officer Tobias Dietzold said. “This is what we stand for at Fumba Town and CPS, and we are grateful to be able to contribute our part. We are committed to keeping the Sauti za Busara festival robust and dynamic for the next few years as we enjoy our rich and diverse cultural heritage through live music.” 

The theme for next year’s festival is Tofauti Zetu, Utajiri Wetu (Our Diversity, Our Wealth). The organisers say that Sauti za Busara will once again act as a platform for young musicians, women artists and emerging talent. The programme will also feature training workshops and networking to provide more opportunities for artists, they said. 

Sauti za Busara 2023 line-up

• Nneka (Nigeria)
• BCUC (South Africa) 
• Damian Soul (Tanzania)
• Mzee wa Bwax (Tanzania)
• Asia Madani (Sudan/Egypt) 
• Patricia Hillary (Tanzania)
• Culture Musical Club (Zanzibar)
• Tarabband (Sweden/Iraq/Egypt)
• Naxx Bitota (DRC/Canada)
• Sana Cissokho (Senegal)
• Nasibo (Zimbabwe)
• Zawose Reunion (Tanzania)
• Stone Town Rockerz (Zanzibar)
• Zily (Mayotte)
• Atse Tewodros Project (Ethiopia/Italy)
• Majestad Negra (Puerto Rico)
• Uwaridi Female Band (Zanzibar)
• Kaloubadya (Reunion)
• Obert Dube (Zimbabwe)
• Zenji Boy na Wenzake (Zanzibar) 
• Waungwana Band (Zanzibar) 
• Supa Kalulu (Zanzibar) 

Early bird tickets can be purchased before 31 October here.