This year is Sauti za Busara Music Festival’s 20th anniversary and Emerson Zanzibar Foundation’s 7th Award”
– aimed at local vocalists, performers and poets
Some of the 2023 Candidates...
Young and gifted Zanzibari vocalists, singers and poets will be appearing before a panel of judges and performing for this prestigious award. Join us in celebrating the up and coming local musicians, who are sustaining Zanzibar’s musical and poetry traditions.
Emerson Zanzibar Music Award 2023 – The Competition
The board of the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation is delighted to announce its seventh Music Award 2023.
The award for this year is intended for local artsist, under the theme, ‘My Composition‘ music/poetry. This follows the Sauti za Busara 2023 theme of “Urithi ni neema” (heritage is our prosperity).
This is a great opportunity for emerging songwriters/lyricist of Unguja and Pemba to promote themselves locally and Internationally at a platform, which aims to inspire and award local talents.
The award for the musicians include, prize money of 2 million TZS, an engraved trophy and a framed certificate for the winner.
Competition Details
The Seventh Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Music Award 2023 will be part of the Sauti za Busara Music Festival 2023.
- Theme: My composition, music /poetry
- Competition: 8th February 2023
- Award night: Saturday 11th February 2023, 8pm at Old Fort
- Event: Public
A great opportunity for emerging musicians and poets of Unguja and Pemba to promote themselves locally and Internationally on a platform, which aims to inspire and award local talents.
Emerson Zanzibar Music Award 2023
The award was presented on stage at Sauti za Busara in the Old Fort, on Saturday 11th of February 2023 at around 8pm.
"...And the Winner is...."
Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Music Awards Winner 2022
TRYPHON EVAREST
with thanks to Emerson Zanzibar Foundation
2023 Music Award sponsors include:
Remember last year's competition, 2022?
Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Facebook
Follow Emerson Zanzibar Foundation on Facebook @Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation)
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For other events and all that is happening in Stone Town see Social Media or our Whats Happening In Stone Town pages
We are thrilled to welcome you to an open studio exhibition of Jan van Esch’s Ghabh - Nipe Nikupe, that explores the rich narratives embedded in textiles.
🕙 *Exhibition Dates:* February 12 - April 9, 2026
📍 *Location:* Emerson Foundation Gallery, 236 Hurumzi Street, Stonetown
🕔 *Opening Hours:* Tuesday - Sunday, 10 AM - 6 PM
In this thought-provoking exhibition, Jan van Esch transforms abandoned clothing into a powerful commentary on culture, identity, and the textile waste crisis. By scavenging garments from Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dar es Salaam, Jan highlights how clothing can serve as a communicative system bridging cultural divides through visual language.
The journey of clothing, from cherished garment to discarded waste reveals complex layers of meaning. Jan’s patchworks and intricate drawings celebrate these fragments, bringing new life and story to what we wear and waste. Through his art, he invites us to move beyond monologue to dialogue, questioning how we engage with textiles in our daily lives.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with Jan’s compelling installations and join the conversation about the global implications of our fashion choices. We look forward to welcoming you to this vibrant exhibition!
With thanks to @veritaszanzibar @emersonspicezanzibar and Emerson on Hurumzi for supporting this exhibition
📸✨ *Be sure to follow us for sneak peeks and highlights as we countdown to the opening!* #GhabhExhibition #JanVanEsch #EmersonFoundation #Textiles #artexhibitions
*🎉 Join Us for the 10th Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Music Award 2026 🎶*
🗓 LIVE PERFORMANCE
📅 Date: February 4, 2026
🕓 Time: From 4 PM
📍 Location: Mnazi Mmoja Grounds
🌟 Come Enjoy and discover a new Zanzibar’s musical talent!
🏆 AWARD CEREMONY
📅 *Date:* February 7, 2026
🕗 *Time:* 8:30 PM
📍 *Location:* Mnazi Mmoja Grounds
Celebrate the best in music and witness the awarding of exceptional talents who have made their mark in our music scene!
✨ Everyone is welcome! Bring your friends and family to enjoy the sights, sounds, and rhythm of Zanzibar!
For more information, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Email:[email protected]
Whatsapp: +255 687 048 767
#EmersonsZanzibar #MusicAward2026 #TaarabFusion#ZanzibarVibes
AiR Spice – Artists in Residency
📍 Emerson Spice Hotel – Secret Garden
Opening Event
🗓️ 29th January 2026 January
4pm - 6pm
Open Daily from
🗓️ 29th January 2026 January - 22nd March 2026
🎨 Resident Artist: Suzana Edward Thomas
AiR Spice is a new residency program by Emerson Spice Hotel in collaboration with the Emerson Zanzibar Foundation, created to uplift and promote Zanzibari visual artists. The program transforms hospitality spaces into vibrant cultural hubs where art is not just displayed, but created, shared, and experienced in real time.
This season, we welcome our fourth resident artist, Suzana Edward Thomas.
Suzana is a visual artist from Zanzibar whose practice centres on painting and creative exploration. She began her artistic journey during secondary school and later received formal training in art and painting between 2019 and 2021.
She continues to refine her practice through mentorship with senior artists at the Cultural Arts Gallery in Ngome Kongwe and currently works as an independent artist. Suzana is a recipient of the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Visual Arts Award and participated in a one-month artist-in-residence programme at Apao Village, where she strengthened her creative approach and professional confidence.
AiR Spice is more than an art residency it’s a bridge between artists, community, and visitors, placing Zanzibari creativity at the center of cultural experience.
📩 More info: [email protected]
📸 Follow the journey: @emersonzanzibarfoundation | @emersonspicehotel | IG: @suzyart575 / FB: @Suzy Art
Emerson Zanzibar Foundation and Tara Jazz warmly invite you to the launch of their new album CHEICHEI
🗓️Saturday 24 January 2026
🕕 from 18.30 until 22:00
📍 in the Secret Garden at Emerson Spice Hotel
Please R.S.V.P. to
[email protected] or WhatsApp: +255 687 048 767
🙏Thanks to @emersonspicezanzibar and @veritaszanzibar Veritas Foods & Drinks for supporting the event.
Album Release Event Schedule:
6:30pm - Guest arrival, welcome drink, networking
7:00pm - Introductions
7:20pm - Acoustic guitar performance – Martin Sambwe
7:40pm - Conversation with Tarajazz Band
8:00pm - Break
8:30pm - Album launch segment
8:40pm - Tarajazz Band performance
10:00pm - End of performance photos
10:00pm - Close of evening
Emerson Zanzibar Foundation and Tarajazz warmly invite you to the launch of their new album CHEICHEI
🗓️Saturday 24 January 2026
🕕 from 18.30
📍 in the Secret Garden at Emerson Spice Hotel
Lots of thanks 🙏 go to @emersonspicezanzibar and @veritaszanzibar for supporting this event 💜
Please R.S.V.P. to [email protected] or whatsapp: +255 687 048 767
Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation announces the winner of the 5th Visual Arts Award – 2025 🎨
Held under the theme “From Canvas to Community”, this year’s award brought together twelve Zanzibari visual artists using art as a catalyst for social and cultural impact.
Participating artists: Kheri Shaibu Salim, Abdulrahman Ramadhani (Bin Sukheir), Haji Mwinyi Khamis (Migo), Abdallah Salim (Dula Obidi), Mmadi Aussi, Omar Idd Omar (Mnyamwezi), Mohamed A. Talib, Abdulla Khamis Omar (Dullah Wise), Hussein Mkada Hussein, Sizya Hafidh Dawson, Abdu Haji Ussi (Rogo), and Asha Abdalla Alli.
After a rigorous selection process, Mohamed Talib was named the winner for his project “Story Tell Sessions”, which uses storytelling to bring communities together while preserving Zanzibari traditions and collective wisdom.
Congratulations to all the artists for celebrating creativity, community, and culture.
1st MOHD A.TALIB
2nd ABDULLA KHAMIS OMAR (Dullah Wise)
3rd SIZYA HAFIDH DAWSON
We want to thank everyone who contributed and supported the exhibition and huge congratulations to all the participants 👏
🖼️ Come see all the amazing artworks
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery at Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel
🗓️Exhibition is open until 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
📸 with thanks: Omar @great_bazungu6
#africanart #eastafricanart #art #artist #zanzibarart #zanzibariartists
*Karibu kwenye Sherehe za Kutangaza Mshindi wa Tuzo ya 5 ya Sanaa za Uoni ya Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation – 2025*
Chini ya kaulimbiu “Kutoka kwenye Canvas hadi kwenye Jamii”, tunakualika kuungana nasi kusherehekea ubunifu, mawazo na mchango wa wasanii wa Kizanzibari kwa jamii yao.
Wasanii 12 wamewasilisha kazi zao bora pamoja na mapendekezo ya miradi ya kushirikisha jamii, na sasa ni wakati wa kumtambua msanii ambaye kazi yake na maono yake yatapata fursa ya kutekelezwa kupitia tuzo hii.
📅 Alhamisi, 15 Januari 2026
🏆 Sherehe za Kutangaza Mshindi wa Tuzo
📍 Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery
Njoo ushuhudie tukio la kipekee linalounganisha sanaa na jamii, na uwe sehemu ya safari ya kuibua mabadiliko kupitia sanaa.
*Karibu sana.*
🎶 *WITO WA MAOMBI* — Tuzo ya 10 ya Muziki ya Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation 2026
Je, wewe ni mwanamuziki mpya mwenye mapenzi na utamaduni wa Muziki wa Zanzibar?
*Huu ni wakati wako!* 🔥
🎼 Dhamira: *TAARAB FUSION*
Changanya Taarab na mitindo ya kisasa kama:
Jazz, Reggae, Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, Bongo Fleva, Zenj Fleva na kadhalika.
🎻 Ala za Zanzibar kama qanun, oud, kayamba, marimba, ngoma, sanduku bass & accordion.
🏆 *Mshindi atapata:*
• Mafunzo & warsha
• Mentorship
• Fursa za kukuza taaluma
• Uwezekano wa residency ya utunzi
✨ Tunatafuta wanamuziki chipukizi na wa kizazi kipya cha wanamuziki wanaoheshimu na kuuthamini urithi wa Zanzibar na kuubeba kwenda mbele.
📩 *Tuma ombi lako leo! *
#EZFMusicAwards2026 #TaarabFusion #ZanzibarMusic #NewArtists
Welcome to this year’s Visual Art Award exhibition “From Canvas to Community”
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.
🖼️ Come see the amazing artworks
🗓️Exhibition until 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
🏆Visual Art Award announcement will be at 4pm on 15th January 2026
📸 with thanks: Omar @great_bazungu6
#africanart #eastafricanart #art #artist #zanzibarart #zanzibariartists
Welcome to this year’s Visual Art Award exhibition “From Canvas to Community”
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.
🖼️ Come see the amazing artworks
🗓️Exhibition until 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
🏆Visual Art Award announcement will be at 4pm on 15th January 2026
📸 with thanks: Omar @great_bazungu6
#africanart #eastafricanart #art #artist #zanzibarart #zanzibariartists
Welcome to this year’s Visual Art Award exhibition “From Canvas to Community”
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.
🖼️ Come see the amazing artworks
🗓️Exhibition until 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
🏆Visual Art Award announcement will be at 4pm on 15th January 2026
📸 with thanks: Omar @great_bazungu6
#africanart #eastafricanart #art #artist #zanzibarart #zanzibariartists
Welcome to the opening of this year’s Visual Art Award exhibition “From Canvas to Community”
🕓at 4pm on Thursday 18th of December 2025
📍in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.
🖼️ Come to see the artworks and meet the participating artists during the opening of this exhibition.
🗓️Exhibition open till 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00
🏆Visual Art Award announcement at 4pm on 15th January 2026
