Matimba Male Lions
Big on Wild
A history of the six Matimba males, written in the week Ginger died.
Deceased
White Face
Also known as Whiteface · The Last Northern Matimba
c. 2006/07 – December 2017
Born in Ngala Game Reserve, beside Kruger National Park, South Africa
White Face was one of the six Matimba males and, after the coalition split, one of the three Northern Matimba with Shaka and Slit Nose. He was named for his pale face.
The Matimba were six male lions from Ngala Game Reserve beside Kruger National Park in South Africa: five related males born around 2006–2007 in the Birmingham Pride, most likely sired by the three older Skybed males, and an older outsider, Ndhuna, whom the pride adopted. In 2010 they took over the Manyeleti Game Reserve, becoming the pride males of all its prides, and spread into Kruger, Ngala and the northern Sabi Sand. After Ndhuna disappeared in 2012, the five split into two groups: the Northern Matimba (Shaka, Slit Nose and White Face) and the Southern Matimba (Hairy Belly and Ginger).
White Face outlived both his northern brothers. After Slit Nose was killed by the Avoca males in January 2017, he kept control of the Skorro Pride on his own, spending his last months with them around the Tamboti area of Timbavati. Seen frail and weak, he died of old age in December 2017, at about eleven, the last of the Northern Matimba.
6Males in his coalition
3Northern Matimba
~7½Years of reign
LastNorthern Matimba
Profile
Identity
- Name
- White FaceThe name he is best known by
- Nicknames
- Whiteface
- Origin of the name
- Named for his pale face
- Sex
- Male
- Distinguishing features
- A pale face
- Weight
- Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg
Birth & Family
- Born
- c. 2006 – 2007
- Birthplace
- Ngala Game Reserve, beside Kruger National Park, South Africa
- Birth pride
- Birmingham Pride
- Father
- Information not availableBelieved to be one of the three Skybed males; not confirmed
- Mother
- Information not availableA lioness of his birth pride; not identified
- Siblings
- Shaka, Slit Nose, White Face, Hairy Belly and Ginger; Ndhuna (adopted)
Reign
- Pride king
- Yes, a pride male of the Northern Matimba; alone over the Skorro Pride in 2017
- Prides ruled
- With the Matimba: the Manyeleti prides; later the Skorro Pride
- Pride size
- Information not available
- Reign
- About 7½ years (2010 – December 2017)
- Ruled with
- His brothers; after 2013 Shaka and Slit Nose; alone in 2017
- Coalition
- The Matimba
- Home range
- Ngala, northern Manyeleti, Orpen and later the Tamboti area of Timbavati, South Africa
- Territory size
- Information not available
Death
- Died
- December 2017
- Age at death
- About 10–11 years
- Cause of death
- Natural: old ageHe had been seen frail and weak
- Place of death
- Timbavati area, South AfricaNear the Tamboti area
- Burial
- Information not available
Names & Meanings
White FaceName
For his pale face. Also written Whiteface.
MatimbaCoalition name
Usually translated as strength or power in Xitsonga (Shangaan). They are also called the Phelwane or Clarendon males.
Family & Lineage
Believed fathersSkybed malesThe three older Skybed males ruled Ngala when the Matimba were born and are believed to have sired them. Not confirmed.
Birmingham Pride lionessMotherNot individually identified.
WhitefaceWhite Facec. 2006/07 – 2017
Adopted brother · the eldestNdhunaAn older male from another pride, adopted into the Birmingham Pride. Disappeared in 2012.View record →Brother · Northern MatimbaShakaThe Matimba with piercing eyes. Died c. 2015–2016.View record →Brother · Northern MatimbaSlit NoseKilled by the Avoca males in January 2017.View record →Brother · Southern MatimbaHairy BellyThe last of all six; died in early 2021 at about 15.View record →Brother · Southern MatimbaGingerHairy Belly’s partner to the end; died of mange in August 2019.View record →OffspringCubs of the coalitionFathered with his brothers across the Manyeleti and Sabi Sand prides. In a coalition, which male fathered which cub is usually unknown.
Life Story
- c. 2006 – 2007
Born in the Birmingham Pride of Ngala Game Reserve, beside Kruger National Park.
- 2010
With his brothers took over the Manyeleti Game Reserve, becoming pride male of all its prides.
- 2010 – 2012
The six expanded into Kruger around Orpen, into Ngala and into the northern Sabi Sand.
- 2012
Ndhuna, the eldest, disappeared.
- Late 2012 – 2013
The coalition split into the Northern Matimba (Shaka, Slit Nose, White Face) and the Southern Matimba (Hairy Belly, Ginger).
- 2013 – 2016
Ruled Ngala, northern Manyeleti and the Orpen area with Shaka and Slit Nose.
- January 2017
Slit Nose was killed by the Avoca males. White Face held the Skorro Pride alone.
- 2017
Spent his last months with the Skorro Pride around the Tamboti area, in poor condition.
- December 2017
Died of old age, the last Northern Matimba.
Legend & Truth
A quiet ending
Most male lions are killed by rivals. White Face kept his last pride until he died of old age, an uncommon end for a coalition male.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of Whiteface’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of Whiteface’s life is coming soon
Documentaries & Features
Sources
- Big on Wild — Matimba male lions
- Africa Geographic — The lion coalitions of the Greater Kruger
- WildFact forum — A compiled history of the Matimba coalition
- WildFact forum — Matimba’s male lineage
Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.