Kruger Park gets its own special song

Monday, 09 June 2008

By Gcina Ntsaluba & Vinni Dlamini
Source: BuaNews Online

Skukuza - Songwriter Shalati Joseph Khosa has been commissioned to write a song to mark the 110th anniversary of the Kruger National Park.

The song, which will be sung by the park's choir at the main birthday event in Skukuza on Saturday, is called "Great Wilderness Great".

"The Kruger Park is a huge inspiration to me and I feel that it is one of our nation's most valuable heritage assets, so it was a natural step for me to write this song," said Mr Khosa, who wrote the song over two days.

Mr Khosa, from Phalaborwa in Limpopo, has been writing songs since 1958.

He has also composed an alternative National Anthem for the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) before the current anthem was adopted. His composition was called "Vunwe" and was written in Xitsonga and English.

The Kruger Park is a world-famous destination and the largest game reserve in South Africa, covering nearly two million hectares of land.

Activities have already begun to mark the park's birthday, and events have been held in Phalaborwa and the Satara camp with the main event to take place in Skukuza on Saturday

From 1 to 13 June, competitions, special offers and other activities will take place at the park Events, such as the minting of a new Krugerrand, have been planned to include neighbouring communities.

Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk will address the main event.

Mpumalanga star of the moment, South African Music Award (SAMA) winner DJ Sdunkero will be one of the entertainers.

Those interested in joining the celebrations can visit www.sanparks.org. - BuaNews