LENS THROUGH MAMBO NTEMA AND HIS CREATIVE JOURNEY

LENS THROUGH MAMBO NTEMA AND HIS CREATIVE JOURNEY

The past weekend vibes were amazingly a creative kind. Mambo Ntema was interviewed by a team of creatives and video graphers led by Uua Murangi at his open market African Arts & Crafts stall in Kasane, Chobe, Botswana. The interview centred on an artistic feature of Mambo Ntema's journey since day one; a traditional song and dance artist from 1992-2002, a recording artiste since 2004 to date, a published writer, author and poet since 2014, a Folk-Jazz musician since 2015 with Mambo and the Nature Voices acoustics band and Native drummer since 2016, a Social Entrepreneur since 2012 through OPN Group of Companies and an African Arts and crafts collector/distributor since 2013.

The feature also focused on social life as a father of one daughter (the beautiful Deczybelle Daisy born in the winter of 2008), lost his cultured mother Ndaruka Ntema in 2016. The outspoken Mambo Ntema's creative roots have a versatile and uniqueness in the creative arts industry as a Concept Developer and community development enthusiast; a Human Rights advocate (especially as a Land and related resources Rights specialist), Cultural Heritage and Creative Arts, Researcher and Adjudicator. 

"No matter how clear the sea water may seem, you will still feel it's depth across oceans. And embrace such uncertainties with ease, focus and collectedness." - Ntema, 2019.

Captured by Shaka Mabele of Mabele Media & Entertainment during Adjudication of the President's Day celebration Competitions (Traditional song and dance) in Gaborone 14/07/2019.

A synoptic account of the artist's life journey as a creative artist; self-published Writer and author  of SOUL SEEDS poetry anthology (2014, Xlibris Publishing UK) and the second poetry anthology "The Voice of a Shadow" is ready for publication in a year's time or so, as a Native Drummer and Storyteller, Performance Poet, Folk-Jazz musician, African arts collector and distributor, and professional/corporate as an Applied Researcher, Sociologist, Land Rights specialist, Creative Arts social enterprising concept developer.

On the second day of the interview feature, the team visited Elephant Without Borders (EWB) for a nature inspired poetic recital alongside live elephants on the banks of the Chobe river. Kelly Landen of EWB was receptive and scientifically informative in line with wildlife protection and conservation, environmental sustainability and education.

Poetic inspirational reading by the river, in touch with the giants and human nature. #SOULseeds

Elephant pose after some elevated poetic recital.

However, it is worth noting that Mambo Ntema is a graduate of the University of Botswana with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and has served in government, non-governmental organizations and has been self-employed for almost seven years. In recent, he has also broadened his business model to incorporate Camping Equipment Hire Kasane to let out camping equipment including Bow Tents, Bedrolls (bedding), Gazebos, Tables, Cutlery, Cooking Pots and plates, Bowels, Bush Shower, Bush Toilet, padded foam Stretchers, Head lamps, washing basins (face), cooler box, metal grill stand etc.

And to expand the business scope, with a young person he has mentored, they have registered Mweenda Travel Agency and Mambo Ntema is a co-partner and Director for the company. Mweenda, which literally means "a traveler," will provide services for bookings and arrangements for transfers, accommodation and safari activities (Boat Cruise in the Chobe River for 3hrs, Game drive in the Chobe National park for 3hrs, shuttle services for Victoria Falls Day trips, cultural and village tours, Camping and Mobile Camping Safaris, Scenic flights both in Kasane and Victoria Falls Zimbabwe, Sunset Poetry Reading Cruise, Native Drumming, Folk-Jazz acoustic live sessions and Fishing excursions), to destinations such as Mabele, Moremi/Savuti, Shandereka Cultural village in Sankuyo, Okavango, Tsodilo Hills heritage sites, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi/Nxai pans, Goo Moremi Gorge, Old Shoshong Hills and Elephant Sands.

To get in touch with us, contact +26772660907 or email us mambo.bw@gmail or mweenda.bw@gmail.com

Buy "SOUL SEEDS" on Amazon, Scribd (Russia), Australia. Also available as eBook

TOUR DE KASANE EASTER HOLIDAYS Package 2020

This is a 3 nights 4 days Camping and Safari activities excursion in and around Kasane for 10 people at BW P30,000.00

1. CAMPING

The package is tailor-made for couples, friends, social groups etc. Our Bow Tents are 3m x3m and have ample space for 2 people sharing per tent. The BEDROLL; single Mattress, single Blankets, fitted sheet, flat sheet, cushion with canvas cover for 10 people. And with padded foam Directors CAMP CHAIRS for 10 people, including camping Ground fees and Bed levy per person per night.  Camping Grounds are mostly safe with electric fence or camp attendants or security guards, but clients to be cautious at all times. And availability of Wi-Fi depends on locality and service rendered by such campsite/camping ground operator. Some do have wifi (and even swimming pool), and some do not. The package includes camp set up/labour, transporting camping equipment to/from campsite, and an optional CUTLERY BOX with plates, bowls, utensils (eatery), cooking pots that can cater for 10 people. Clients are at liberty to get the cutlery box or not, if they seek to have an outdoor cooking. 

2. SAFARI ACTIVITIES

F    From day of arrival (night 1) at campsite, guests will overnight and in the morning (day 2), will go on a 3hrs GAME DRIVE with bottled water (x10 bottles) and drink (x10 drinks) and park entrance fee (x10 people) on an open view safari vehicle with a Professional Guide, in the Chobe National Park, from 06:00-09:00hrs. 

      

   In the afternoon, guests will go on a  3hrs BOAT CRUISE with bottled water (x10 bottles) and drink (x10 drinks) and park entrance fee (x10 people) on an open view safari Boat with a Professional Guide, in the Chobe National Park in the Chobe river, from 15:00-18:00hrs. 

    Day 3: Guests will travel on a full day trip to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe from around 07:30hrs or so on a shuttle and back to Kasane, Botswana at 3pm or at client's covenient time but before border closes at 6pm. Guests to arrange own refreshments, snacks or lunch at the falls at own costs. Note that the package DOES NOT INCLUDE entrance fees to Victoria Falls that is paid by client upon arrival at the falls gate (est. P220 per person for Batswana). Clients to have valid passport(s) for ease-travel to Zimbabwe.

      

    Day 4: End of Excursion, check out at 10:00hrs and Departure.

       KINDLY NOTE THAT:

- A private Chef(s) is available upon request by client at P700 per day for labour costs only (cooking) for 10 people camping; Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Note that client/agent to buy own raw food and or cooking requisites. 

- Firewood available upon request by client at own cost; P600 per load. 

- Headlamps (LED) available upon request by client at P75 per lamp per night.  

- Padded foam STRETCHERS (or camp bed) available upon request by client at P75 per stretcher per night. 

- Public transport (taxis, cabs) available in and around Kasane for ease of access and convenience. We have some reliable cab operators in Kasane available upon request/call by client at own cost, OR a TRANSFER SERVICE FEE OF P100 per person per excursion from campsite to client's destination.

#BiggieBiggie Dancehall single available for Sale online

Scheduled for release by end of October 2019, the heaviest hardcore Dancehall single #BiggieBiggie has been availed for online streaming globally. According to a statement from MAMBO NTEMA's media team; the multi Creative artist's single is a giant song that boasts of hardcore lyricism and word play, with imagery that suits the style of delivery and flow, that infuses the old school Ragga Dancehall with poetic verses and chorus that captivates the ear.

The statement further indicates that to listen, share or comment on the song, click here: #BiggieBiggie online (SoundCloud.com). 

The song is also available for online purchase on #BiggieBiggie at P9.95 Botswana currency (US$1 equivalent) - TingTingbw.com; a local music, events and product store.

Mambo Ntema indicated that "this heaviest Dancehall single is testimony to the fact that Dancehall music in Botswana continues to grow from length and strength over the years. It celebrates efforts by other Tswanshall (a Botswana Dancehall version) and Reggae musicians and deejays such as Chantty Nachural, Chillyman, Twingih Twangah, King Blakk, K-Rugga, Lobby Gee, Ras Logic, Sanchez Africa, Selecta Dimo, and other rising stars to promote positive message through positive vibes and societal musical vibrations." The genre is very strong in Africa and Botswana's chapter needs more support base but in its diverse uniqueness despite the Jamaican infusion of creole or patois, with poetic and heavy lyrical articulation in Setswana, Cikuhane, shiYeyi, Mbukushu and other native languages. 

For Bookings, contact +26772660907 | mambo.bw@gmail.com

#BiggieBiggie 

#BiggieBiggie Dancehall Single Coming soon

After almost two years without hitting the studio booth since the release of the mighty "Run Run Run" single in 2017 under the FamBoyz Internationale banner with Tribal Tiido and a baritone outro with Nobert Mathumo, Botswana's versatile and longtime Creative artist -- MAMBO NTEMA has indicated possibilities of releasing a new Dancehall single before end of 2019. He said, "the single is called #BiggieBiggie and it is a celebratory hardcore Dancehall song with heavy punchlines and authentic style of delivery. The song is about personality and self motivation, reflection and passion. It expresses how hard it can be in the music industry, illustrating Mambo Ntema's rawness, originality and multi-creativity. It celebrates the longtime hustle in the Dancehall category, for over a decade and more and still raw and roaring behind the microphone."

The song starts with a heavy heavy Chorus soon after intro:

Biggie biggie heavy heavy, they don't want to see me

They know that I'm a rebel, musical genius

I am the dictionary, I am not a missionary

I am the son of the soil (extra-ordinary)....

And delivers a very soothing hook:

One thing they have to know is that I'm the veteran

I'm the musical legend

The Almighty is one, He's the ruler of the universe....

#BiggieBiggie (heavy heavy), loosely translated as Chikandokando (Chilyemalyema) in Chikuhane/seSubiya, Chihombehombe (Chinorema) in Shona, Thikanyukanyu (Thiremuremu) in Mbukushu native languages is Mambo Ntema's biggest hardcore Dancehall single. The song proves the artistic giant he is, affirming that he is one of Africa's raw and unique musical veteran(s), hailing from a small village (Matsaudi) in the North Western Botswana.

Ever since his early days at school until date, Mambo Ntema remains focused and committed to his creative art and has been tirelessly working round the clock to diversify the creative art product to meet and reach other customer base targets. He is very conversant and competent with Reggae/Dancehall, Afrobeat, Folk-Jazz acoustics, Native Drumming and Poetry. Currently based in Kasane (Chobe district) since 2010 and has widened the social enterprise model to infuse Camping equipment hire, Camping Safaris, Boat Cruise, Game drives, Cultural heritage tours etc.

The song is expected to be published before end of 2019 for online retail and distribution on platforms such as iTunes, Google play, Apple music, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon world wide, and featured on local radio stations. Plans for #BiggieBiggie single launch will be announced once logistics have been finalized.

Mambo Ntema has featured on different rhythmical Reggae-Dancehall compilations such as AFRICA (Ravel Tribe, Zimbabwe, 2005), ISSUES OF FAITH RIDDIM (Riddim Yut Productions, South Africa, 2012), AM ON IT RIDDIM (Augusta Massive, Italy, 2013), MYSTIKAL EARTH RIDDIM (Zimi Prod, Paris Reunion, 2013),  LOST MIND RIDDIM (Augusta Massive, Italy, 2015) amongst many other features with local and international heavy lyricists and producers such as HT Tautona, Bajah Ranks, NorryCea, Unkle Bryce, EQuematic Records, Artikal Ranks, Tribal Tiido, HashTag Music, Wina Naame Entertainment, Keal Entertainment, Basement Records, Jah-Nathan and more.  

Song information
Song: BiggieBiggie (Heavy Heavy)
Artist: Mambo Ntema
Rhythm: Slow Motion Riddim
Riddim Producer: Norris Chisadza the BlindMouse 
Label: Ravel Tribe Entertainment (Zimbabwe)
Vocals recorded, mixed, mastered: TayBoz 
Label: HashTag Music (Kasane, Botswana)
Cover Artwork: Robin (RAF Media, Kasane, Botswana)
Year of Release: 2019

For Bookings: +26772660907 | mambo.bw@gmail.com 
Follow us on  www.facebook.com/tourdeKasane

"LYINU HANU CHI TU VUNDUMUKA"

"KA TU SIIYI - TU KAKATIZA"

Echoes of our Heartbeats

The echoes of our heart beats
Remind us that being human is the only music
Mankind could use it
To live peacefully at ease.

What more there be to human than heArt? 

If being human decides to fight
The very human they so intimately claim
To descend from, their off springs and rain,
Destructions and pain for gain
By the few hands of Human at the sigh
And plight of the other,
Will there ever be peace amongst us?

I stand taller than Mumbara trees of my forefathers bloodline,
And I strange further than Lungara streams of our grand mothers past times,
For I am a descendant of the river people, the elephant people, the sun people.
I am an heArtist, a warrior, a narrative.

- Onalethuso Petruss Ntema
18082019-0800

Book with us at Camping Equipment Hire Kasane through Mambo Ntema for an ultimate creative Cultural heritage tourism experience. And customize your shoes, t shirts, caps and any clothing with Big Tim Arts at the African Arts & Crafts open market stall next to Information services and Nkwe Booking agency along President avenue in Kasane.

- Camping, Camping equipment hire, Cultural Tours, Native Drumming sessions, Sunset Poetry Reading cruise, Tour de Kasane, Paintings, Crafts and curios, Safari etc.
#iamChobe #HamwinaMuChizo

email us mambo.bw@gmail.com +26772660907

I OFTEN FEEL OFFENDED

I OFTEN FEEL OFFENDED

I often feel offended when I get rejected

By servants and subjects of this course,

For discourse promotes senses hidden behind scars and wisdom

Of a bruised heart and tears of the afflicted,

Like fountains in the sacred desert sands of the Kalahari

As they sprinkle their last tear drop in days of drought in diaries and pages

Of their memories. I am just an orphan—

A vulnerable child without traces of their human,

I am just an orphan;

For villages have images of my descendants,

My ancestors and forefathers of their grandparents,

My own person, a child of the sun and basket,

The basket that my own mother’s hand crafted

From palm tree leaves planted by nature’s own servants,

With black, bold and brown or purple blue grey colors of their basket,

I am just an orphan—

An orphan who’d often sing songs unknown from the heart of the moon,

To caress my ears with echoes of my heart beat. And you—

Dear other, the true navigator of word and sound behind the full moon…

Onalethuso Petruss Buyile Ntema, 12092019-1451

The Voice of a Shadow: Life, Reality and Mental Inspiration poetry anthology

A Proud parent's

I am convinced that I'm slowly getting very older and grey hair soon start to tint my locks. Because, my daughter's talent exceedingly makes me very proud as a veteran Creative Artist. Thako ya morago. Just today, her school club was representing the North West region at the ABOSPA Performing Arts competitions in the HOSANA traditional song and dance category at Botho University in Gaborone since morning. These kids can take one's soul nxwi struu. Immensely gifted and confident. Despite tough competition, I am a happy man and whatever the results, I'll still be proud of Matola Primary school for making a mark at national level. I have to thank the team (trainers and directors Pelo and Tsalaepe, Mr Makgelane, Mma Zulu and the organizers). As a parent, it touches my heArt even harder to see the commitment and articulation these kids have and their presentations really surpass that of Junior, Secondary and tertiary schools. But really Deczybélle Daisy reminded me of my early days at Mathiba primary school. Ne ke rabola, from 93 to 2004 go gyiwa lethwa. Those who know me will attest to the fact and I continue to put bread on the table through just art. I thank my ancestors for her. And I wish her a very creative and artistic journey hantse dithaka di mo zukutura kaha a sprakana natso. Oh, Urezha! Nda ti qwatisa nishoozi pa peeshi when this girl rumbles in such talents. My heart is very white.

MATLOLA Primary School Traditional Song and Dance group

Artistic Director Tsalaepe, my daughter Deczybelle and myself at Botho University in Gaborone

Gaborone - National Assembly/Parliament of Botswana building