Rwanda’s Imena cultural troupe is set to take part in the 13th edition of the Sauti za Busara that will take place in Stone Town, Zanzibar in February next year.

This is the third time Rwanda will be taking part in East Africa’s leading music festival, with the local cultural troupe set to participate for the second time, having also participated last year.

Jean-Baptiste Semanza, the director of the group, told The New Times that the cultural troupe was ready to represent the country and rehearsals were already in place.

"This is the second time we will be participating and, therefore, we have the experience and are ready to represent our country in the best way possible, come next year. We are a group of 30, but 15 will be presenting. We are only waiting for the formal invitation,” he said.

Rwanda is among the 16 countries, including Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Ghana, Morocco, Ethiopia, Guinea Bissau, Seychelles, Cameroon, Mozambique, Somaliland, Malawi, among others that will be performing in front of a diverse audience of people.

Sauti za Busara (Swahili for "Sounds of Wisdom”) is an African music festival that is held every year in February in Zanzibar.

Since 2003, it has grown to be one of Africa’s top five music festivals showcasing a diverse and dynamic programme of exclusively live African music. It is one of the largest music festivals in East Africa, with several hundreds of artists participating each year.

Traditionally, the festival kicks off with a Carnivalesque parade through the streets of Stone Town in Zanzibar.

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