By Iminza Keboge
Published August 31, 2016
Some 400 musicians represented by 40 groups from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, South Africa, Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon and Ethiopia are expected to participate in Zanzibar’s Sauti za Busara music festival in February 2017.
Busara Promotions, who organise the festival, say they have picked the groups to perform from among 600 who applied for the opportunity to perform in the festival.
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“The main aim of Sauti za Busara is to bring people from different backgrounds together, to celebrate the richness and diversity of African music,” says Yusuf Mahmoud, Festival Director of Sauti za Busara.
Mahmoud says Sauti za Busara “showcases live music that’s original and innovative, with positive messages for society that will bring energy and excitement on stage. Whether it’s more acoustic or electric, the festival gives priority to music with cultural identity.”
“Africa is vibrant and rich in its many cultures and expressions,” Mahmoud says. “We need to build bridges of peace and unity across Africa through the universal language of music.”
Busara Promotions says it is “offering half-price tickets for all visitors with African nationalities” on its website “to prove [it is] serious when it comes to uniting Africa through music.”
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“Further discounts,” Busara Promotions says in a media release, “will be available only for Tanzanian citizens or East African residents.”
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Mahmoud promises what he terms as ‘more fire’ to Stone Town during Sauti za Busara’s comeback festival in Zanzibar that shall run February 9-12, 2017 on the theme, “Africa United.”
Busara Promotions says it “guarantee[s] February will see the hottest line up of African musicians ever brought together in the East Africa region.” On the basis of its selection of musicians.
Details of artists performing at Sauti za Busara 2017 will be announced in October 2016, Mahmoud says.