Sauti za Busara to champion children’s rights through music

DAR ES SALAAM: SAUTI za Busara will use its 2027 edition to raise awareness of children’s rights and well-being, placing young people at the centre of its celebration of African music and culture under the theme “Let Them Shine”.

The 24th edition of the festival, scheduled for March 19–21, 2027, in Stone Town, Zanzibar, will be supported by UNICEF as organisers seek to use music as a platform to promote children’s rights, inspire action and highlight the importance of giving every child an opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.

The initiative adds a social advocacy dimension to the festival, which has spent more than two decades connecting African artists with audiences while celebrating the continent’s musical diversity and cultural heritage.

Through the “Let Them Shine” theme, the 2027 edition aims to draw attention to children’s wellbeing and the conditions they need to reach their full potential.

Festival Director Journey Ramadhan said Sauti za Busara will use the power of music to raise awareness of issues affecting children and encourage action to ensure their rights are recognised and protected.

The campaign also creates an opportunity to connect the festival’s broad audience, including artists, communities and cultural partners, with a message that extends beyond the stage.

Festival Director Ramadhan said Sauti za Busara had grown into more than a music event, serving as a platform for connecting artists with new audiences and industry opportunities while celebrating Zanzibar’s culture and community.

“As we enter a new chapter with the 2027 edition, we are proud to continue this work by bringing diverse African voices to Zanzibar, supporting artists and creating meaningful connections through music,” Ramadhan said.

The festival will take place from March 19–21, a shift from its traditional February schedule to accommodate the timing of Ramadan and allow artists, audiences, local communities and partners to participate more fully.

Its 2027 line-up features performers from across Africa, the Indian Ocean region and beyond, including artists from Tanzania, Zanzibar, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Comoros and Algeria, as well as Brazil and Australia.

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Early-bird tickets are now available ahead of the three-day event.

By placing children’s rights at the heart of its 2027 theme, Sauti za Busara seeks to demonstrate how cultural platforms can contribute to conversations about children’s wellbeing while bringing people together through music.