Zanzibar has made headlines with its decision to suspend Zuchu, the renowned star of Wasafi Records, also known as Zuhura Othman Soud, from all artistic endeavors in the island for six months.
The action follows her performance at the Fullmoon Kendwa Night show in Zanzibar on February 24, 2024, which was deemed by the Zanzibar Arts, Census, Film, and Cultural Council (BASSFU) as crossing cultural boundaries.
Videos of Zuchu’s performance circulated online shortly after the event, raising concerns among Zanzibari residents. In response, BASSFU launched an investigation, ultimately resulting in the suspension of Zuchu from participating in any artistic activities in Zanzibar for the designated period, starting from March 5, 2024.
Omar Abdalla Adam, the executive secretary of BASSFU, underscored the council’s responsibility in safeguarding Zanzibar’s cultural heritage. He stated, “The council has the responsibility to oversee the customs, traditions, and culture of Zanzibar,” underscoring the gravity of the decision.
Further scrutiny revealed that Zuchu had not registered with BASSFU and lacked the necessary permits for her performance in Zanzibar. Consequently, she was slapped with a fine of Ksh. 1 million and forced to issue a written apology, pledging adherence to cultural norms in future performances.
Zuchu’s label, WCB, facilitated her apology, shared on their official Instagram page. In it, she expressed regret for any offense caused by her actions during the Full Moon Party at Kendwa Beach, clarifying that her intentions were solely for entertainment purposes.
In a gesture promoting reconciliation, the National Arts Council (Basata) shared a photo on their official page depicting Zuchu receiving a copy of “Mwongozo wa Kazi za Sanaa” (The Code of Ethics in the Arts), signifying a commitment to respecting cultural boundaries in artistic expression.
