Newly formed Munati Fam set to release debut mixtape
UNDER the blistering heat, a breeding herd of elephants blocks the way and a cow nudges its calf under a huge baobab tree on the roadside. An irritated bull tells off a wandering calf in a no-nonsense mood, with a shriek but firm voice.
The elephants tolerate our presence for a few moments but as soon as their snorkelling trunks sniff us they retreat in polite disgust.
A few metres away, giraffes forage the bush, heads up in indignation above stunted mopane bush shrubbery. The mopane bush shrubbery is level at about two metres high, on a browse line that looks as neatly trimmed as a schoolboy’s new haircut.
At sunset, a lion roars, sending shivers down the spines of every living species there, particularly the impala that scamper for dear life and the big baboon that strides to a huge tree in a hunched and swaggering gait. Stubbornly looking back the huge baboon barks a loud “boohoo!” as if shouting obscenities to the king of the jungle, before climbing up a tree.
Thereafter, three lions scramble out of the silhouette mopane shade but immediately melt into the thicket of trees so fast and silently that not all of us are lucky to see their frosty-brown faces or blurs of tails.
The impalas, kudu and waterbuck bound swiftly out of sight for, behold, the king of the jungle has spoken.
Then there is the appearance of pythonlike roots of sausage trees alongside the dry banks of Mwenezi River, the main source of water in the jungle. The Mwenezi River itself turns silver and gold with strips of sand and smoothened rocks between steep banks and quiet deep blue pools.
Once in a while a kingfisher eagle hovers over the pool in aerial acrobatics and shutter our illusion with a splash on the murky waters. One fish is gone!
This is Gonarezhou, Zimbabwe’s gateway to the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and epicentre of jungle life, where untamed wild animals roam wild and free.
Gonarezhou is a perfect theatre of the jungle where those who have not experienced the jungle save for snippets in fiction films must go and experience the real Africa.
The national park is situated in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe and covers 5 033 square kilometres. Gonarezhou means “the place of elephants” and for real there are so many elephants there so much that for you to spend a day without bumping into a herd of the grey mounds of flesh, you must really be cursed.
The park is extremely scenic and full of rugged and beautiful landscapes.
Three major rivers — Save, Runde and Mwenezi — cut their courses through the park forming pools and natural oasis from hundreds of species of birds, wildlife and fish to feed and drink.
One of the most prominent and enduring natural features of the park is the beautiful Chilojo Cliffs. The magnificent red sandstone cliffs were formed through eons of erosion and they imposingly overlook the Runde River valley.
Then there are the Tababomvu (red) hills, the buffalo bend, Simuwini (the place of the baobab), Mabalauta (the spear-making tree) and Makokwani (the old person), Samalema Gorge, Matombo Pools, Rose Pools — places where one should never miss for either game drive or walk. Enjoy your holiday. THEIR journey begins like that of many astounding musical groups. Hailing from Bulawayo’s Paddonhurst suburb is a newlyformed hip-hop group Munati Fam, which consists of three members, namely Kudzai Mawarire (22) aka Tynnie Maz, Arthur Chiwanza (21) aka Sultan Fwhy and Taboka Dube who goes by the moniker Crazie T. They are set to release their 10-track debut mixtape in 2017. All sharing the same interests the group says it was by fate that they teamed up. So far with only a couple of tracks n the market and a few performances they said they still need to work on raising the standard of their game. So o far they have a few tracks, a few collaborations but their debut was Ke Summerhich done in 2015. This year they had another titled YOLO.
Like most newbies in the industry they too share the same interest with many other musicians, which is to take over the industry.
“Everybody says they want to take over the industry. Indeed we feel the same but we know we will one day do so and leave a legacy, as our music is meaningful a n d inspirational. Our mu s i c talks about what youths expe r i e n c e and how to get by in times of hardships,” sa id Crazie T.
The group also mentioned that they had the support of their families, whom they said understood the industry and very much assisted them when need be.
“The late nights and all that is associated with being an artiste, they understand. Our parents actually counsel us about issues to do with the industry. This is our passion and they are 100 percent supportive,” added Crazie T, speaking on behalf of his mates.