The Zanzibar Arts, Census, Film, and Cultural Council (BASSFU) has taken action against Bongo Flava artist Zuchu by imposing a six-month suspension from all artistic activities in Zanzibar. This decision was made after Zuchu’s performance at the Fullmoon Kendwa Night show on February 24, 2024, which raised concerns among some residents when videos of the performance circulated online.
BASSFU, whose role is to uphold the cultural traditions of the island, conducted an investigation and concluded that Zuchu’s performance was not in line with the cultural norms of Zanzibar. Omar Abdalla Adam, the executive secretary of BASSFU, emphasized the council’s dedication to preserving Zanzibar’s cultural identity.
“The council has the responsibility to oversee the customs, traditions, and culture of Zanzibar. Therefore, we are officially suspending Zuchu from engaging in any artistic activities in Zanzibar for six months, starting from today, March 5, 2024,” stated Abdalla Adam.
Further investigation revealed that Zuchu had not registered with BASSFU and did not possess the necessary permits to perform in Zanzibar. As a result, she has been fined Ksh. 1 million and is required to submit a written apology, along with a commitment to adhere to cultural norms in future performances.
Zuchu’s record label, WCB, issued an apology on their official Instagram page, clarifying that her actions were solely intended for entertainment purposes and not meant to disrespect the culture or people of Zanzibar.
wanyony Brian