Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – The bans of three Tanzanian Bongo Flava artists, Whozu, Mbosso, and Billnass, have been reduced. The artists were originally banned for six months, for the release of a song called “Ameyatimba” that was deemed to be offensive to Tanzanian values.
The decision to reduce the bans was made at a meeting chaired by the Minister of Culture, Arts, and Sports, Dr. Damas Ndumbaro, at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The artists were all required to pay a fine of TZS 3 million (approximately US$1,300) in order to be allowed to continue working in the music industry.
In a statement, Dr. Ndumbaro urged the artists to use their creativity while still respecting the guidelines set out in the Code of Conduct for Artists in Tanzania. He also said that the government would continue to monitor the work of artists to ensure that they are not producing content that is harmful to society.
The reduction of the bans is a victory for the artists, who had argued that their song was not intended to be offensive. However, it is also a reminder that the Tanzanian government is taking its role in regulating the arts seriously.
