The historic Majestic Cinema in Stone Town, Zanzibar, is set to undergo a comprehensive restoration that will transform the deteriorating building into a vibrant cultural hub by 2026. This ambitious project represents not only the preservation of one of Africa's earliest cinemas but also reflects the broader story of cinema architecture across the continent and the ongoing efforts to revitalize cultural heritage sites in Tanzania.
The Majestic Cinema holds significant historical importance as one of Africa's first movie theaters when it was originally constructed in 1921 under the name "The Royal." Scottish architect John Sinclair, who also served as the British Consul stationed in Zanzibar, designed the original building incorporating Moroccan elements in what was referred to as the 'Saracenism' style. This architectural approach, while somewhat contrived, aligned well with Stone Town's eclectic heritage that blends Indian, Omani, and local African influences. The cinema was renamed the Majestic Cinema in 1938, but its original structure was destroyed by fire in 1953.
Following the devastating fire, the cinema was reconstructed with a new design attributed to architect Dayaliji Pitamber Sanchania. This rebuilt version, which stands today, showcases Art Deco aesthetics characterized by sweeping horizontal lines and distinctive vertical fins. The architectural evolution of the building thus represents two significant periods in 20th-century design, from early colonial-influenced styles to the modernist Art Deco movement that was popular in the mid-century period.
Beyond its architectural significance, the Majestic Cinema served as a crucial community gathering space that brought together people from diverse backgrounds. Martin Mhando, former director of the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), once compared it to the Cinema Paradiso featured in the acclaimed 1988 Italian film, where a small-town cinema became the heart of community life during World War II. The Construction Management Plan (CMP) developed for the restoration project emphasizes this communal role, noting that cinemas provided rare opportunities for people of various ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages to meet in one space.
The CMP, produced by Hifadhi Zanzibar with consultants from African Architecture Matters, explains that attending screenings became extremely popular shortly after the establishment of the first cinemas in Zanzibar, partly due to the lack of alternative venues for social gatherings. "Cinemas provided a rare opportunity for people of various ethnic backgrounds, genders, and ages to meet in one space. For the community, going to the cinema meant more than just watching a movie. It had a profound impact on its social and cultural life. Movies provided people with subjects for debates, influenced fashion, played an educational role, and were generally seen as a window to the wider world," the document states.
The cinema's story mirrors the broader decline of movie theaters across Africa. Tanzania formerly hosted 53 cinemas, but most closed during the economic downturn of the 1980s. By 2011, only two cinemas remained in the entire country, both multiplexes located in Dar es Salaam, the economic capital. The three historic cinemas in Zanzibar, including the Majestic, suffered similar fates. This trend extended across the African continent, resulting in only 1,800 cinemas continent-wide, a stark contrast to countries like China, which has 82,000 cinemas, despite Africa's increasingly successful and vibrant filmmaking scene.
The restoration project benefits from its location within Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its virtually intact urban fabric that has brought together African, Arab, Indian, and European cultures over more than a thousand years. Within this historic city, the Stone Town Conservation and Heritage Plan designates the Majestic Cinema as Grade II listed, indicating high historical, architectural, and cultural significance with strict restrictions on alterations without proper authorization from authorities.
The Majestic Cinema remains government property after cinemas were nationalized during the 1980s economic crisis. However, in 2024, it was leased to Hifadhi Zanzibar, a heritage management company tasked with restoring and managing the facility. The restoration strategy follows a "preservation through transformation" approach that will convert the cinema building into the Majestic Culture Hub while retaining its original cinema function and inclusive traditions. To ensure long-term sustainability, the project will incorporate additional uses including offices for project partners and a café or restaurant.
This international funding-backed project is planned for implementation in phases, with completion expected in 2026. The restoration represents hope for similar historic cinemas across Africa, offering an alternative to the melancholic demolition that befell the fictional Cinema Paradiso. Instead of serving as a symbolic break with a painful past, the Majestic Cinema is positioned to regain its vitality and continue serving as a cultural beacon for Stone Town and the broader Zanzibar community, while also supporting the annual Zanzibar International Film Festival, one of the continent's premier film events.
