The Matimba coalition

[fursan syed]

This is how the Majingilane were ousted from North East Sabi Sands by the Matimbas.
info from the arathusa site. August 2011
by Ryan Johnston:

There’s the faintest whiff in the air whispering that warmer times aren’t far off. That said, with August being our windy month, the normally lush bush will dry out even more before the rainy season arrives. We set out this morning to the sound of lions roaring in the east, but little did we know exactly what we were in for. We were in the process of following up on the roaring cats when we received news over the radio that FOUR of the Matimba males had been seen. A coalition of six males, the Matimbas are showing more and more interest in the northern Sabi Sand. This area is currently under the control of the four Majingilanes brothers, the same coalition of males that put an end to the Mapogo males’ reign in an epic battle just over a year ago.
We watched as the four Matimbas chased after a small herd of buffalo. The lions scattered in different directions as they tried to ambush the buffalo without success. While waiting for them to regroup, we heard roaring coming from the east about a hundred meters off. We thought nothing of it, assuming it was the males calling to mark their positions. Another radio call revealed that it was in fact "three of the Majingilanes brothers", and they were heading straight towards the Matimba males.
A verbal confrontation could only mean one thing. War.
Roars pierced the peaceful winter morning, and sightings of the two coalitions chasing each other over a main road were fast and intense. There was no physical contact, but it was clear from the outset that the two groups were squaring off. Sizing each other up. This posturing continued throughout the morning, and their roars could be heard far and wide. The Majingilanes eventually settled under a tree just off the main road, although they carried on roaring to just in case the Matimbas planned on returning anytime soon. After all this excitement we headed back to the lodge for a well deserved breakfast. Could this morning’s events herald the start of another war? Only time will tell.
We returned in the afternoon to follow up on the Majingilanes, and found them under the tree where we’d left them in the morning. It looked as though THEY WERE STILL QUITE RATTLED by what had happened. Finding anything where the standoff took place would prove difficult, as the animals had all scattered as soon as they heard the lions having a go at each other. Luck was on our side however, because we soon ran intoSafari and Mafufunyane in the same area. We left Mafufunyane hunting and headed back to the lodge.
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This report refers to a confrontation between the FOUR Matimbas and the Majingilane which took place in August 2011. Just about 2 months after the historical confrontation between the 3 Mapogos (Makhulu, PB and MrT) and the Matimbas in EP in June 2011

At this point the Majingilane realized that they should move out of Djuma and a few months later when Dark Mane Majingilane was badly injured by the Matimbas the 4 Majingilane abandoned Djuma forever.

pc Mala Mala

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