By Al-amani Mutarubukwa, The Citizen Reporter
Zanzibar.  Busara Music Festival which takes place annually is known to be a crossroads of cultures as people come from almost the whole world to witness this unique festival.

During the week-long event, the historic Stone Town bursts into life with the blossoming of activities as the cosmopolitan population makes its way to the auditorium at the Old Fort and its environs.  

Entertainment takes centre stage in the Spice Island as over 400 artistes from the whole continent rally to entertain an equally diverse audience in attendance.

This, in return exposes the Island to the international arena, therefore, adding value to the Island which is endowed with great wealth of history that stretches to 900 AD.

From the hotels where prices almost triple the ordinary charges, to the brightly lit Forodhani Gardens, Zanzibar is abuzz with guests who come full of all sorts of expectations.

As one guest once remarked finding hotel accommodation on such days is sometimes a nightmare that you wouldn’t wish for yourself.

Businesses and individuals cash in during the tourist boom which has changed lives in the past eight years that the festival has graced the Isles.

According to Aisha Shabani who sells accessories inside the old fort during the festival it is the time to make some money.

“I started using the festival effectively three years ago. This is the time when my business does really well and I collect money to help me pay school fees for my daughter,” she says.

However, as Organisers of the Sauti za Busara (Sounds of Wisdom) festival make arrangements for the 2012 season there is every reason to worry as all is not well.

Given the prevailing circumstances, this could be the last edition of the extravaganza, if they are not supported by the government and business community. Despite the fact that the festival has become a hot date on the entertainment calendar, officials claim it has become very difficult to meet the budgetary obligations due to lack of funding.

According to Yusuf Mahmoud, the director of Busara Promotions, the organisation is currently struggling to raise enough funds for next year’s event since donors have become reluctant to honour their contributions on time.

“We are continually under pressure from donors to diversify income and make the festival self-sustainable. They are asking why we keep on asking for financial support when local government and businesses give nothing,” he said.
Although, the five day event was scheduled to commence early February next year, so far half of its budget hasn’t been met.

Mr Mahmoud, who was speaking at a one day Zanzibar Leaders for Culture and Economic Growth Forum two weeks ago, said even  telecom operators-Zantel, which has been at the helm of sponsorship for years, are yet to honour their sponsorship.

“The only way to get rid of the begging shame is by being supported by the local government and businesses. These people generate a lot of revenue during the festival,” he says.

As part of the reason for the lack of funding is the fact that organisers have stuck with sponsors from the Isles and the fact that Zanzibar is an Islamic country.

This means that beer companies cannot actively sponsor such events; in fact, as some insiders put it, this was the sole reason why Shaggy’s concert during ZIFF could not take place at the Amani Stadium.

“There was no way the authorities were going to allow Tusker Malt the main sponsors brand Amani Stadium,” says the source.

However, instead of receiving contributions from the government and businesses, ironically it has been the festival that pays several thousand dollars each year for licences and permits to numerous government institutions on top of hiring the venue.

In comparison to other countries where such festivals have a budget of up to $6 million, Sauti za Busara only needs 10 per cent to cover everything and still the event meets international standards.

In light of such a backdrop, organisers are thinking of alternatives which include finding a new home for the extravaganza and on top of the list is to move it to Dar es Salaam, where they can easily get access to funding. “This is on Busara’s agenda and an issue that the staff and Board of Trustees plan to discuss seriously soon after next year’s festival,” says the director.

This would be a blow far beyond what any business person in Zanzibar can fathom as many lives are likely to be affected.

Though some are blinded that it is the festival that benefits from the tourism industry, statistics from Commission for Tourism show the number of visitors to the islands during February each year has increased by a whopping 400 per cent since the festival started.

But even then, all is not lost as the First Vice president of Zanzibar Maalim Seif Hamad stresses the importance of cultural festivals as a tool for the country’s socio-economic future.

On the opening day of the forum, he urged the festivals organisers to seek dialogue with the government and other stakeholders on how best such events can be made self-sustainable in the archipelago.  Zanzibar also hosts other seven cultural festivals including ZIFF, Jahazi Jazz and Literature Festival among others.

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