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.