Bongo singer Zuchu broke her silence after being slapped with a six-month ban from performing in Zanzibar island.
Speaking in a recorded video shared on her social media accounts, Zuchu said she was summoned by Baraza la Sanaa la Taifa (BASATA), which oversees arts in mainland Tanzania after she was sanctioned by Baraza la Sanaa, Sensa ya Filamu na Utamaduni (BASSFU) which oversees arts in Zanzibar island.
FYI: Tanzania and Zanzibar are in a federation but each state has its own independent internal organs and run their affairs separately. Zuchu actually hails from the semi-autonomous island.
Zuchu said Basata summoned her to offer guidance after BASSFU banned her from performing in Zanzibar.
“Kupitia baraza la sanaa la Tanzania Basata kwanza nianze kwa kuwashukuru walenzi wetu kwa kuniita jana na kufanya kikao na mimi cha kunipa maelekezo muongozo sahihi jinsi ya kufanya sanaa yangu bila kukiuka tamaduni na desturi zetu za Kitanzania,” Zuchu stated.
The ‘Sukari’ hitmaker additionally apologized for her February 24, 2024, performance which put her at loggerheads with BASSFU.
“Hivyo basi kutokana na sintofahamu iliyojitokeza siku ya tarehe ishirini na nne siku ya show yangu ya Zanzibar pale Kendwa niombe radhi kwa jamii kama kuna sintofahamu yoyote imejitokeza na kama kuna mtu yoyote ama mrengo nimekera,” she said.
Diamond’s sweetheart explained that her aim was to entertain and not to erode cultural values and morals.
“Lengo lilikua kuburudisha na sio kupotosha maada. Naomba radi tena kwa walezi wangu baraza la sanaa Basata wana wao wamekua mchango mkubwa kwa kutulea sisi na kutuongoza vizuri na kutuelekeza kutokiuka maadili yetu. Nashukuru kwa kikao kilichofanyika ikiwa kosa la kwanza na kunipa sikio la kujielezea na kujitetea. Nashukuru sana baraza la sanaa Tanzania,” Zuchu remarked in the recorded video.
BASSFU ban
Zanzibar Arts, Census, Film, and Cultural Council (BASSFU) banned Zuchu from performing in the island after her performance at the Full Moon Kendwa Night show on February 24, 2024.
The council suspended Zuchu from performing in Zanzibar for a period of six months.
BASSFU also prohibited radio and television stations in Zanzibar from playing Zuchu’s songs for six months.
“The council is responsible for upholding the customs, traditions, and culture of Zanzibar, and therefore officially announces the suspension of artist Zuhura Othman Soud (Zuchu) from engaging in any artistic activities in Zanzibar for a period of six months starting today, March 5, 2024,” BASSFU said in a statement.
BASSFU explained that they decided to sanction Zuchu due to her habit of singing songs that lack morals, do not follow principles, and are not beneficial to the people of Zanzibar.
The Council also stated that Zuchu, even though she hails from the island, was not registered as an artiste in Zanzibar and had been conducting her artistic activities without permission.
In addition to the suspension, Zuchu was fined Tsh1 million by the arts Council and required to write an apology letter confirming that she will not repeat the offence during the suspension period.
Performances
Before the ban in Zanzibar, Zuchu was known for dropping sexually-charged performances especially when performing with her sweetheart Diamond Platnumz.
Diamond nearly undressed Zuchu on stage while performing together in Dar es Salaam in August 2023.
During the Wasafi Festival last year, Diamond and Zuchu did things on stage that words are insufficient to describe.
