Sauti za Busara 2025 returns next month with a star-studded lineup
What you need to know:
- Dubbed the friendliest festival on the planet, this Swahili Music & Cultural Festival promises another unforgettable experience.
The Festival Kitchen is bubbling with excitement as Sauti za Busara gears up for its 22nd edition.
Dubbed the friendliest festival on the planet, this Swahili Music & Cultural Festival promises another unforgettable experience.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Old Fort in Zanzibar, Sauti za Busara 2025 will feature a diverse lineup of artistes from across the African continent for three days from February 14 to 16, 2025.
With performances from Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and beyond, this year’s festival is a true celebration of African unity, diversity, and cultural heritage.
The festival boasts an impressive roster of both renowned and emerging artistes. Headliners include South Africa’s Thandiswa Mazwai, Kenya’s Blinky Bill, and Tanzania’s Christian Bella & Malaika Band.
Other notable acts include Mumba Yachi from Congo/Zambia, Frida Amani from Tanzania, and Joyce Babatunde from Cameroon. Audiences can also look forward to electrifying performances from Bokani Dyer (South Africa), Wura Samba (Nigeria), The Zawose Queens (Tanzania), and the Zanzibar Taarab Heritage Ensemble.
Under the theme “Voice for Peace,” Sauti za Busara 2025 aims to use music as a powerful tool to promote peace and unity.
Since its inception in 2002, Sauti za Busara has been dedicated to showcasing emerging African artistes.
Festival director Journey Ramadhan emphasises the importance of this platform in highlighting the rich musical diversity of Africa, particularly focusing on female musicians and artistes with unique voices and powerful messages.
“For Zanzibaris, this festival is an opportunity to showcase their rich culture, strengthen national identity, promote peace and unity, and inspire youth to take pride in their heritage,” says Ramadhani.
Adds, “For Africans in general, it is a platform to celebrate the achievements of African arts and music, enhance relationships between nations, and inspire positive change through art.”
The festival will feature a variety of genres, from traditional taarab and Swahili blues to modern Afrobeat and fusion. Artistes like Kasiva Mutua (Kenya), Annakattoa & Bantu Sound (Zanzibar), and Étinsel Maloya (Réunion) will bring unique sounds that reflect the vibrant cultural mosaic of Africa.
As the anticipation builds, the Sauti za Busara team is working tirelessly to ensure this year’s festival is nothing short of spectacular.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned festival-goer, the 22nd edition promises to deliver an unforgettable experience filled with music, culture, and a shared sense of community.
