Festivals strengthen Union
- Samia says belittling customs is regressive, embracing it is dignity
ZANZIBAR: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has urged Tanzanians to use events like the Kizimkazi Festival to promote and strengthen the Union.
She made these remarks yesterday while closing the 2024 Kizimkazi Festival at the Mwehe Makunduchi grounds in the South Unguja region. She also praised the event for significantly contributing to development in the Unguja South Region.
In the course, various social activities took place during the festival, which started on August 18th this year with President Samia further announcing that the festival has been designated as a national event.
“In April this year, our country celebrated 60 years of the Union between the then Tanganyika and Zanzibar. During this time, we have built a single nation with strong, patriotic and united people. Today, as Tanzanians, when we talk about preserving our culture, customs and traditions, we are also talking about safeguarding our cherished Union,” she said.
She expressed satisfaction with the festival’s achievements, noting improvements in social infrastructure such as health facilities, water access, schools and sports amenities.
“We should celebrate that the Kizimkazi Festival has fostered unity and boosted tourism, drawing visitors to Zanzibar and even bringing wildlife for people to see,” President Samia said.
President Samia commended the festival’s organising committee, for encouraging participation from partners, stakeholders, artists and the public from both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
“What began as an event for the people of Kizimkazi has now brought the entire nation together for various cultural, sports, entertainment and investment activities,” she said.
She noted that the government has decided to utilise festivals for various purposes, including preserving culture, customs and traditions.
“During this festival, we enjoyed a range of entertainment, from traditional taarab to modern bongo fleva, singeli and traditional dances. All these were used to bring people from both sides of the Union together,” President Samia added.
She continued, “As we open up the country and push for development, we must ensure that this development aligns with our traditions and customs. Moving backward, violating, or belittling our customs is regressive. Embracing what is ours is dignity.”
President Samia highlighted that this year’s festival was special as it carried with it various developmental activities.
She cited the example of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, who led a discussion on the use of clean cooking energy in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation ‘Mwanamke Initiatives Foundation (MIF)’.
She said the festival has acted as a catalyst for development in the entire South Unguja region and as a result, they plan to establish a dedicated institution to manage and oversee the Kizimkazi Festival.
“We hope it will be officially recognised by the Government of Zanzibar (SMZ) and become one of the events that boosts the national economy,” President Samia said.
She noted that last year, under the theme ‘Protect Our Children for the Nation’s Benefit,’ she laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Tasani Nursery School, which has now been inaugurated.
“This school will help us achieve the theme of protecting children by ensuring they receive good preparation for higher levels of education… this is not the only project, but it stands out,” President Samia stated.
The nursery school was built with a donation from NMB Bank at a cost of 800m/-.
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Dr Samia encouraged Zanzibaris, particularly residents of Kizimkazi and Unguja South, to build on the festival’s success. She emphasised the importance of using the event to preserve traditions, teach the younger generation and promote clean energy.
“I am pleased that the Kizimkazi Festival has provided opportunities for 605 youths, training them in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, arts and entrepreneurship. I urge them to make the most of the knowledge they have gained,” President Samia said.
“This year’s theme for Kizimkazi has been met with good participation from stakeholders who have contributed to social and economic projects by attracting investors from both within and outside the country, thus enhancing our economy,” President Samia added.
She further said, “As this theme will guide us throughout the year, I would like the regional and district leadership to ensure that this theme is implemented, and next year, when we have another festival, we should receive a report on its execution.
Citizens should be at the forefront to show that Kizimkazi has indeed fulfilled its purpose and that the efforts of all stakeholders are valued.”
Kizimkazi is President Samia’s birthplace
The festival derives its name from the place, where President Samia was born on 27 January 1960.
Initially, the festival was similar to other entertainment events until two years ago when President Samia decided to use it for developmental projects that promote the economy, culture and provide entertainment. This year, she has declared it a national event.
The President received enthusiastic applause from the crowd and thanked all sponsors, including banks and both private and public institutions from the mainland and Zanzibar, for their significant contributions to the festival’s success.
Mr Mahfoudh Omar, Chairman of the Kizimkazi Festival Organising Committee and the Regional Commissioner (RC) for Unguja South, Mr Ayoub Mohamed Mahmoud, also expressed gratitude to the sponsors and President Samia. They acknowledged her efforts in elevating the festival, which began as a local celebration in 2016 and has grown into a national event.
The closing ceremony featured entertainment, including bongo flavor music, modern taarab and traditional Shomoo dance from the region.
High-profile attendees included Vice- President Dr Philip Mpango, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Mwinyi, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Dotto Biteko, senior ministers from both Zanzibar and the mainland, Regional Commissioners and African Development Bank (AfDB) CEO Akinwumi Adesina, who was a special guest for President Samia.
