By Cank Media
Published: September 25, 2026
Tanzania’s entertainment industry is under renewed regulatory scrutiny after the National Arts Council (BASATA) imposed a combined TSh19 million in fines on musicians Harmonize and Nandy, a music-video director and two event organisers.
The sanctions were issued in five separate cases involving artistic content, performance attire and event regulatory requirements. BASATA said the measures are intended to ensure that artists and other creative-industry stakeholders comply with Tanzania’s laws, regulations, guidelines and ethical standards.
Harmonize Fined TSh5 Million Over ‘Kudos’ Video
Bongo Flava star Harmonize, whose real name is Rajab Abdul Kahali, was fined TSh5 million over the music video for his song Kudos.
According to BASATA, the video was found to violate Regulation 20(a) of the National Arts Council Regulations, 2026, relating to content that the council says violates the dignity of listeners or viewers.
BASATA ordered Harmonize to remove the video from his social-media platforms and pay the fine within 14 days. The council also directed him to refrain from engaging in artistic activities until he complies with the decision.
BASATA said Harmonize had not submitted a defence or alternative explanation by the time the decision was made.
Director Kenny Also Fined
The director of the Kudos video, Kennedy David Sanga, popularly known as Director Kenny, was separately fined TSh5 million.
BASATA said that after he was heard, it determined that the production constituted an ethical offence. He was also ordered to remove the video, pay the fine within 14 days and stop engaging in artistic activities until he complies with the council’s decision.
This means the Kudos case accounts for TSh10 million of the total TSh19 million in fines.
Nandy Fined TSh3 Million Over Performance Attire
Singer Faustina Charles Mfinanga, popularly known as Nandy, was fined TSh3 million over the attire she wore during her performance at the Miss Universe Tanzania 2026 finale in Dar es Salaam.
BASATA said the clothing worn during the performance was considered inappropriate under the council’s ethical standards and violated the dignity of viewers.
However, BASATA said Nandy admitted the offence, removed the relevant video from her social-media platforms and paid the TSh3 million fine.
The council subsequently allowed her to continue with her artistic activities, subject to its supervision.
Miss Universe Tanzania Organiser Also Penalised
The action also extended to the organisers of the beauty pageant.
Millen Privé & Co. Lifestyle Limited, the organiser of Miss Universe Tanzania, was fined TSh3 million in connection with the incident involving Nandy.
BASATA said the organiser was held responsible for allowing the alleged ethical violation to occur during the event and was given 14 days to pay the fine.
Another Event Organiser Fined
In a separate case, Avil Contractors Company Ltd, the organiser of Miss Grand Tanzania, was fined TSh3 million for holding the competition without the required event permit from BASATA.
The council said the company had been served with a notice of the alleged offence on August 12, 2026, and given 21 days to submit its defence but did not do so.
BASATA consequently ordered the company to pay the fine within 14 days and refrain from engaging in artistic activities until it complied.
How the TSh19 Million Fine Is Distributed
| Case | Fine |
|---|---|
| Harmonize – Kudos video | TSh5 million |
| Director Kenny – Kudos video | TSh5 million |
| Nandy – Miss Universe Tanzania performance | TSh3 million |
| Miss Universe Tanzania organiser | TSh3 million |
| Miss Grand Tanzania organiser | TSh3 million |
| Total | TSh19 million |
What the BASATA Action Means for Artists
The latest cases highlight the responsibilities facing not only performers but also music-video directors, event organisers and other creative-industry stakeholders in Tanzania.
BASATA has previously emphasised the importance of artists understanding regulations governing their work, including ethical standards and compliance requirements. Its website currently lists the 2026 BASATA regulations among its official publications.
For East Africa’s increasingly connected entertainment industry, the developments in Tanzania could generate wider discussion about the balance between artistic expression, public standards, regulatory oversight and the responsibilities of creative professionals.
The TSh19 million enforcement action comes just days after BASATA summoned Harmonize, Nandy, Director Kenny and other figures in the entertainment and pageant sectors for appearances before the council on September 22.
The cases have now placed Tanzania’s entertainment regulations firmly in the spotlight, with artists and event organisers facing renewed attention over how creative content and public performances comply with the country’s regulatory framework.