Zanzibar Arts Council Suspends Bongo Flava Artist Zuchu for Six Months

The Zanzibar Arts Council has temporarily suspended Bongo Flava artist Zuchu for six months and fined her one million Tanzanian shillings for performing songs deemed inappropriate and lacking moral values for the youth of Zanzibar.

Speaking to reporters at their office in Mwanakwerekwe, Magharib B’ District, the Council's Executive Secretary, Dr. Omar Abdalla Adam, stated that the decision came after Zuchu's performance at Kendwa Village's Kendwa Fullmoon Part Hotel, where she displayed indecent behavior and wore revealing attire, in addition to singing songs deemed culturally inappropriate.

According to Section 8 (1),(d) of the Zanzibar Arts, Film, and Culture Council Act No. 7 of 2015, the council has the authority to suspend artists who violate regulations regarding the creation of music that respects Zanzibari customs and culture.

Dr. Adam further noted that Zuchu is not registered to perform in Zanzibar and has no collaboration with the Council. Therefore, she has been instructed to come to Zanzibar to issue an apology. Failure to comply will result in severe consequences.

Additionally, the Council Registrar, Juma Chuom Juma, emphasized the importance of artists adhering to Zanzibar's regulations and cultural norms, especially with the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. He warned that actions will be taken against artists who fail to follow the established procedures when performing in Zanzibar.

The Council has urged the Zanzibari community to refrain from listening to or singing Zuchu's songs, as doing so would undermine the existing customs and culture.