Popular Tanzanian singer, Zuhura Othman Soud, also known as Zuchu, has apologised to Zanzibar Arts, Census, Film and Cultural (BASSFU), after the body suspended her for six months over a performance they deemed inappropriate.
According to the body, the 30-year-old Zuchu who is one of the biggest musicians in East Africa, was suspended after her performance on Zanzibar’s Kendwa Island in February for featuring “sexually explicit language and gestures” on stage.
In a statement on Tuesday by BASSFU, the body decided to impose a six-month suspension on Zuchu from all artistic activities in Zanzibar following her controversial performance at the Fullmoon Kendwa Night show on February 24, which sparked concerns among residents after videos of the performance circulated widely online.
In the statement signed Omar Abdalla Adam, the executive secretary of BASSFU, the performance went against the islands’ customs, traditions and culture, adding that the suspension underscored the council’s commitment to preserving Zanzibar’s cultural identity.
“The council has the responsibility to oversee the customs, traditions, and culture of Zanzibar. Therefore, we are officially suspending Zuchu from engaging in any artistic activities in Zanzibar for six months, starting from today, March 5, 2024,” Adam stated in the statement.
Adam also said Zuchu who is signed to Diamond Platinumz’ WCB Wasafi Record label, must tender a written apology to the Union within a stipulated time.
In complying with the order, the entertainer tendered a public apology to BASSFU on Wednesday.
In a video she shared on her Instagram, the musician said she was deeply sorry over the performance as she did not mean to offend anyone.
“The goal was to entertain and not to mislead,” she said in the short video.