Coalition · Ended

The Majingilane

Also known as The Night Watchmen · Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

2010 – 2018

Origin: Orpen area, Kruger National Park, South Africa

The Majingilane were a coalition of male lions who ruled the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, beside Kruger National Park in South Africa, from 2010 to 2018. Their name was coined for watchmen who patrol the night, marching with intent and never changing course. Born around 2004–2005, most likely near the Orpen area of Kruger, they arrived in the Sabi Sand in early 2010 as five young males and set their sights on the land of the Mapogos, the most feared coalition in the reserve.

On 8 June 2010 the Mapogo males Mr. T and Kinky Tail caught the youngest Majingilane and broke his spine. The same night the other four tracked down Kinky Tail and killed him, and Mr. T fled west. When all five remaining Mapogos came back for revenge in July, the four withdrew into Kruger, then returned. They took most of Londolozi, became dominant over five prides at once and, at their peak, ruled almost half of the Sabi Sand. Hyena numbers on Londolozi dropped sharply during their reign.

Age broke them in the end. Hip Scar died in February 2017; Golden Mane died after a buffalo injury in early 2018; Scar Nose died in April 2018, and Dark Mane disappeared within weeks, his body never found. The Birmingham males took over in the east and the Matimba males in the west.

Members

D Leader · first-ranked Dark Mane c. 2004 – 2018 The last of the four; his body was never found. Read the full record S Second-ranked Scar Nose c. 2004 – 2018 Dark Mane’s constant partner. Died in April 2018. Read the full record G Third-ranked · Missing Canine Golden Mane c. 2004 – 2018 Died in early 2018 after a buffalo injury. Read the full record H The limping one Hip Scar c. 2004 – February 2017 The first of the four to die. Read the full record

T The youngest The fifth Majingilane c. 2005 – 8 June 2010 Killed by the Mapogo males Mr. T and Kinky Tail. Record coming soon

5Members at arrival

~8Years of reign

5Prides at their peak

2018End of the coalition

Profile

Coalition

Members: Dark Mane, Scar Nose, Hip Scar and Golden Mane; a fifth male killed in 2010
Relationship: Brothers or close relatives
Origin / birthplace: Orpen area, Kruger National Park, South AfricaSome accounts say the Manyeleti area, from a pride known for hunting buffalo
How it formed: Grew up together and arrived in the Sabi Sand as five young nomads in 2010

Reign

Area: Central and eastern Sabi Sand, including Londolozi; later westward following the Mhangeni lionesses
Prides ruled: Tsalala, Breakaway Tsalala, Fourways, Styx and Sparta; later Mhangeni
Took over from: The Mapogo coalitionThey killed Kinky Tail on 8 June 2010 and are widely believed to have killed Rasta later that year
Reign: About 8 years (2010 – 2018)
Territory size: Information not availableAlmost half of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve at their peak

End

End of the coalition: Old age: Hip Scar February 2017, Golden Mane and Scar Nose early 2018, Dark Mane disappeared 2018
Successors: The Birmingham males in the east and the Matimba males in the west

Names & Meanings

MajingilaneCoalition name

Coined for watchmen who patrol the night, marching with intent and never changing course.

Dark Mane, Scar Nose, Hip Scar, Golden ManeMembers

Each named by Sabi Sand guides for his most obvious feature.

Story of the Coalition

c. 2004 – 2005
Born, most likely near the Orpen area of Kruger National Park.
Early 2010
Arrived in the Sabi Sand from Kruger as five young males.
May 2010
First seen on Londolozi.
8 June 2010
Mr. T and Kinky Tail killed the youngest Majingilane. That night the other four killed Kinky Tail.
5 July 2010
The five remaining Mapogos marched east for revenge. The Majingilane withdrew into Kruger and returned after the Mapogos left.
Late 2010
The Mapogo Rasta disappeared; he is widely believed to have been killed by the Majingilane.
2010 – 2012
Became dominant over the Tsalala, Breakaway Tsalala, Fourways, Styx and Sparta prides. One young Selati male caught in their territory was killed.
October 2012
Mauled an intruding young male on their southern boundary until a bull elephant broke up the fight.
2016
Contested ground with the two Matimba males in the west.
February 2017
Hip Scar died, the first of the four.
Early 2018
Golden Mane died after a buffalo injury.
April 2018
Scar Nose died; Dark Mane disappeared within weeks. The coalition was over.

Legend & Truth

Successors to the Mapogos

The Mapogos were the most feared coalition in the Sabi Sand. The Majingilane did not defeat them in one battle, but their arrival in 2010 began the Mapogos’ decline: Kinky Tail was killed on the first night, and the coalition never recovered its eastern territory.

Lions and hyenas

Londolozi noticed a marked fall in hyena numbers at the height of the Majingilane’s reign; big, aggressive male lions are the best natural control on hyena populations.