Samia’s leadership spurs Kizimkazi cultural heritage drive

ZANZIBAR: FROM spectacular dives into the Indian Ocean and the rhythms of traditional taarab music to a photographic exhibition celebrating Zanzibar’s people and heritage, the 2026 Kizimkazi Festival offered a colourful reflection of the cultural identity and development aspirations.

The festival, held from August 8 to 14 under the theme “Kizimkazi Kumenoga! Shangwe na Fursa” (Kizimkazi is thriving! Celebration and Opportunity), brought together government leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, residents and visitors for a week of cultural, social and economic activities.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s participation added a distinctive dimension to this year’s celebrations, as she engaged with different aspects of the country’s cultural heritage, young people’s creativity and community development initiatives.

Away from the formal ceremonies, President Samia visited Forodhani Gardens in Stone Town, where she watched Makachu divers entertain spectators with spectacular jumps and flips from the seawall into the Indian Ocean.

She joined the young performers for photographs, creating an informal moment that highlighted the energy and creativity of local youth.

The President also tried her hand at bao, a traditional Swahili board game, before enjoying a live taarab performance, immersing herself in the cultural expressions that remain an important part of Zanzibar’s identity.

Another memorable moment came during the Picture Dinner Gala, where she toured an exhibition featuring photographs by young Tanzanian photographers.

The photographs captured Zanzibar’s landscapes, tourism attractions, traditions and everyday livelihoods.

One image that particularly attracted her attention depicted a Kizimkazi woman harvesting seaweed, highlighting the contribution of women to the local economy and the importance of the Blue Economy.

President Samia commended the photographers for their creativity and encouraged them to continue developing their skills.

She also called for more opportunities for local photographers to exhibit and sell their work to tourists and international visitors, linking creative talent with economic opportunities.

The festival’s focus on community development was equally evident in the launch of a newly constructed recreational area for children at Kibuteni by President Samia.

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The facility provides a dedicated space for children to play, interact and develop their social and physical skills, reinforcing the importance of investing in safe recreational environments as part of community wellbeing.

Meanwhile, the exhibitions at Kizimkazi-Dimbani brought together more than 100 participants, including entrepreneurs, producers and financial institutions, providing opportunities to showcase products, connect with customers and explore business partnerships.

The wider programme also featured cultural performances, traditional boat races, sporting activities, tourism promotion and discussions on investment and the Blue Economy.

These activities reflected the festival’s growing role as a platform for promoting southern Unguja’s tourism potential while creating opportunities for local communities, particularly women and young people.

Now in its tenth edition since its formal organisation in 2016, the Kizimkazi Festival continues to evolve beyond a cultural gathering into an event connecting heritage, enterprise and social development.

As Tanzania approaches another milestone in President Samia’s current presidential term, this year’s celebrations offered a reminder that national development is also reflected in the preservation of cultural traditions, recognition of young talent and investment in the wellbeing of communities.

Ultimately, the festival’s significance lies not only in the celebrations themselves, but also in the opportunities created, the stories preserved and the facilities established to benefit future generations.