A 20year tradition of showcasing vibrant sounds at the Sauti za Busara Festival augmented by The Amplifying Women's Voices Programme.
Every February, the historic streets of Stone Town in Zanzibar come alive with the vibrant sounds of the Sauti za Busara Festival. This renowned event showcases music groups from across the African continent and its diaspora, a tradition that has continued since 2004.
Spanning three days, Sauti za Busara features 40 performances across three stages, attracting over twenty thousand attendees from all corners of the globe. The festival has firmly established itself as a staple in the global music calendar over the past two decades. While it primarily serves as a platform for musicians, it also provides invaluable opportunities for technical personnel in the music industry to hone their skills. However, the festival team noted a significant gender disparity among the technical crew, who were predominantly men. In response, they proposed the Amplifying Women's Voices Programme to the ACP-EU Ignite Culture Fund.
Safina Juma, the administrator of Sauti za Busara, explains, ‘The Amplifying Women's Voices Programme focused on enabling women by imparting them with the skills needed to become professionals in the events industry. Traditionally, this field has been dominated by men, but through this programme, we equipped more women to contribute significantly to the festival. Our goal is for women to become movers and shakers in the industry, and we have already seen a significant change with women forming a substantial part of our crew. The programme has also facilitated performances by all-women groups like Warriors from the East from Arusha, Tanzania, and numerous other female artists from across the continent. This has had a profound impact, as the festival has intentionally focused on supporting women.’
The Sauti za Busara team lauds the ACP-EU Ignite Culture Fund as a crucial enabler in bridging the gender divide within the music industry. By providing a platform for women to showcase their skills and talents, the festival not only promotes gender equality but also enhances the overall quality and diversity of the event. The festival is a significant venue for international promoters and festival organisers, offering women the chance to gain contracts and opportunities at other prestigious platforms.