Busara strikes new chord at Mnazi Moja after 22-year Old Fort era

ZANZIBAR: THE Zanzibar Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Riziki Pembe Juma, has praised the organisers of the Sauti za Busara Festival for what she described as a strong and promising opening at its new home, Mnazi Moja Grounds, marking a historic shift after 22 years at the Old Fort.

Speaking shortly after witnessing several performances on the festival’s opening night, the Minister said the warm reception and smooth start of the four-day event spoke volumes about the stature the festival has attained over the years.

“This opening speaks loudly about how big Sauti za Busara has become,” she said.

“Guests have travelled from different parts of the world to Zanzibar to celebrate the richness of our cultural heritage through music.” Minister Riziki made the remarks after touring the Main Stage, where a range of performances kept the crowd engaged.

Among them, the TaraJazz band stood out, catching the Minister’s attention with a bold and lively sound that blended traditional Taarab with Jazz influences.

“I found their performance very interesting,” she said.

“It was a vibrant mix of Taarab and Jazz, blended in a way that still keeps the music alive and exciting.” She noted that many Zanzibaris are accustomed to ancient Taarab, known for its calm rhythm and traditional instruments, making TaraJazz’s approach a refreshing shift. “It was something different, and it worked beautifully,” she added.

“I enjoyed the whole package.” Midway through their set, TaraJazz surprised the audience further by weaving in elements of hip-hop, drawing cheers and curious looks from festival-goers.

ALSO READ: WiLDAF calls for coordinated action against gender-based violence

When asked about the choice, band member Hassan Mahenga said the decision was deliberate. “Our goal is to be unique and to catch the attention of all music lovers,” Mahenga said.

“We have been together as a band for about ten years now. We love what we do, and the fans love it too.” Beyond the music, the Minister encouraged Zanzibaris to attend the festival in large numbers, describing it as a space not only for entertainment but also for relaxation.

“This is a place where people can come, enjoy themselves and release stress,” she said.

Riziki also highlighted the importance of hosting the festival in Zanzibar and the opportunities created by the move to Mnazi Moja.

While the Old Fort had played a key role in supporting local participation over the years, she said the new venue had widened the economic space even further.

“Mnazi Moja has opened more opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesspeople to benefit from the festival,” she said.

The grounds were dotted with food vendors, bars, creative personnel and traders, many of whom had designed their booths with distinct colours and layouts inspired by their cultural heritage, adding to the festival’s atmosphere.

According to the Minister, the successful set-up at Mnazi Moja sends a clear message about Zanzibar’s capacity to host even larger events.

“This shows that Zanzibar is open to much bigger festivals, with all kinds of designed settings,” she said, calling on organisers to choose Zanzibar as their destination, whether for beach festivals or inland events.