Zuchu, one of Tanzania’s prominent musicians, has been prohibited from staging performances in Zanzibar for six months after a concert that was considered inappropriate.
During her show on Kendwa Island last month, Zuchu used sexually explicit language and gestures, which led to the decision by the Zanzibar arts council. The council stated that her performance contradicted the customs, traditions, and culture of the islands.
Additionally, media reports indicate that Zuchu was fined approximately $390 (£306) for performing without registration with the council.
Zuchu, also known as Zuhura Othman Soud, has not responded publicly to the ban video posted on her Instagram account.
“The goal was to entertain and not to mislead,” she said.
Zanzibar, renowned as a sought-after tourist destination in Tanzania, received accolades from various travel publications last year, ranking among the top 10 travel destinations in Africa.
However, despite its popularity, the island’s residents hold socially conservative views, leading to objections when video clips of Zuchu’s performance circulated on social media.
At 30 years old, Zuchu holds the distinction of being the first female musician in East Africa to amass one million YouTube subscribers within a year.
Additionally, her achievements include being the first female musician in East Africa and only the fifth female artist on the continent to surpass 500 million YouTube views, as reported by her label, WCB Wasafi.
The UN climate body claims that carbon dioxide concentrations have reached their highest point in at least two million years and have risen to almost record highs once more in the last year.