Mayafudi Confronts Kruger National Park Perpetrators Who Were Obviously Amateurs and Cowards
To an inexperienced rifleman an elephant charging at 40 kmh directly at him, is an awe-inspiring experience. Before one could say Engelhard, he dived from the bonnet, clutching his AK47, and tried to role under a mopane shrub.
The elephant, however, surprised him with its speed. Suddenly the earth shuddered. The strong trunk enfolded him and flung him away like a dirty cloth. When he touched ground, a heavy foot stamped the limp body into the ground. That game rustler would never again rise. Terrifying Life Escapes Made By The Mayafudi Elephant In The Private Kruger Park
His two comrades in the cabin sat petrified. Then they woke and the driver wrenched the steering to steer the truck in the direction of Letaba. But he also misjudged the situation. Before he could engage into low gear, Mayafudi, blind with rage, was against the truck. He knocked it over like a lightweight toy and when it overturned against a tree its wheels spun in the air.
Blind with dismay, Mayafudi did not wait to do stocktaking – Shingwedzi was 108 kilometres away. Bububu another 40 kilometres further. He had to get away and quickly.
The elephant was deeply disturbed by this nightmare experience. He was, however, grateful that the perpetrators were obviously amateurs and the gunman a clumsy coward.
Mayafudi walked on and on and on. The journey did not last thirty days and nights, but he knew he had covered a vast distance. This confrontation at Letaba caused him to be emotionally drained. When he reached Shingwedzi, he could feel that his body desperately needed rest. His emotions had to unwind. Strange But Wise! An Elephants's Wisdom To A Young Elephant About Kruger National Park's Elephant Culture
Shingwedzi was like an oasis. The Shingwedzi River, framed by beautiful evergreen bunches of figs, reminded him of his former home along the Sabie River. The fertile S50 river road past the Kanniedood Dam, although in some aspects quite different, nevertheless reminded him of his beloved S3.
At the Kanniedood Dam large herds of elephant (and buffalo) came to drink. Some of them habitually stayed in the vicinity for a long time. One of the major bulls of the area, was Mashagadzi. He too had to rest his tusks on the ground when he grazed.
The presence of the large number of elephants afforded Mayafudi the opportunity to enquire of the elders answers about Mafunyane, his isolation, his legendary bad temper, and naturally, his magnificent tusks.
The enquiries, hours of talk and “have you heards” were the most enjoyable parts of his pilgrimage. Later on he had to admit to himself that Bububu was really an anti-climax – a vision that had been polished to the extent that extravagant expectations and resultant disappointment were the inevitable result. Marvellous Spirit Of Youth And Wilful Mood Initiated By Mayafudi The Elephant To Kruger National Park Tourists.
The Bububu was quite ordinary and unexciting. The kind of hideaway for someone who desired absolute isolation. The water-abundant Kanniedood Dam, however, called with a clear voice. This was the place, Mayafudi decided, where he wanted to spend the rest of his days.
Time passed. For years he had no reason to regret his spontaneous decision. The new vicinity was good to him. He was happy. He had good friends, good company and few worries. As time went by, the irritability, impatience and temper tantrums of the past years disappeared. His troubled thoughts dimmed in the background.
The old Mayafudi gradually re-emerged; older and wiser, but just as well behaved, solid and stable as in years gone by. He had become a ripe and restful elephant. An honourable senior citizen.
So it remained until that fateful day of his confrontation with the intruders from Mozambique. The unforgivable outburst. His angry attack on the tourists and their vehicle. His decision to flee home…