As you walk past the Londolozi Creative Hub at the moment there’s often a familiar hum, a tapping of a foot to a tune or even a whistle.
A song about Londolozi, written and created by a South African guest Reini Adelbert, arrived at the perfect time for us to ease our way into the Festive Season.
Reini and his wife, Lynne, stayed with us in November 2018 at Founders Camp and experienced Londolozi for the first time. Wild dog encounters, impala lambs and many other great sightings coupled with evenings around a fire with a guitar, made their time with us magical and was the inspiration behind his song.
We hand over to Reini to describe the process further:
Writing a song for Londolozi was a natural thing to do. I have known about this special place on the Sand River banks from my earliest days through an old school friend who was closely associated with its beginnings. But it was during a wonderful recent sojourn at this magnificent place that I was able to experience its magic first-hand. Interestingly, I had partially written a song, ‘Low Country’, years back which mentioned Londolozi but didn’t sufficiently have that happy African jive feel. So I set about writing a new one. The primary driver was a deep personal concern for the fragile beauty of our planet, particularly Africa, with its rich diversity of people, fauna and flora. Surely our primary duty must be to conserve this for our great grandchildren? I was profoundly moved by the Londolozi village, which is home to numerous employees, and how obviously the Varty family have prioritised the balance between local communities and the resort.
“Will you take me, Londolozi
And make me the best I can be
Back to where it all began – Jardin Africaine
It’s a feeling deep in my heart
And it’s been there right from the start
Protector of all living things, spirits awakening”Most of my ‘important people’ have arrived in some way via music. My enduring love is acoustic folk, blues and ‘world’ music; it’s a serious interest – I write prolifically and perform as often as I can. Songs arise from experiences and emotions which, if authentically expressed, allow them to resonate and survive. Repeating themes and images seem to be – water, light, the Karoo, the Mother City, African rhythms and melody, injustice and poverty, wanderlust, meditation and acceptance of reality. For a song to ‘sit’ the lyric, melody and accompaniment must synchronise, something like the recipe for a special dish. This doesn’t always work and conversely sometimes happens literally like a bolt from heaven.
Music has always been a hobby which cuts both ways. It means that I have never had to ‘stress’ to write or perform something but it also means that I will never know what it might have been like to be James Taylor or Johnny Clegg…
Lyrics:
Will you take me, Londolozi
And make me the best I can be
Back to where it all began – Jardin Africaine
If you’re seeking the Big 5 look to your soul
For the Little 5 are equally bold
Inkomu Swinene, Mother Earth
For this generous gift of old
It’s a feeling deep in my heart
And it’s been there right from the start
Protector of all living things, spirits awakening
Honey badger got stuck in a hole
Between the roots of a sycamore tree
And it moved me deep within my soul
When the tracker set him free
This courageous little king of the bush
What an example to be
On the Sand River bank 1926
Two friends shared a wilderness dream
Back to Eden in the African bush
Natural harmony
Yingwe, ndlopfu, ngala – Jardin Africaine
Will you take me, Londolozi
And make me the best I can be
Back to where it all began – Jardin Africaine
Protector of all living things, spirits awakening
It’s a feeling…
Wow! Beautiful. The song touch my heart.
Thank you, it was such a pleasure to be able to do this!
That is a beautiful song of Londolozi – evocative words and pictures. Now we need to hear it put to music and sung by the lyricists of Londolozi on the banks of the river at sunset.
Ps To my earlier comment: I hadn’t seen there was a sound byte attached to the words! It is absolutely wonderful. Thank you!
What a pleasure!
Reini, Thank you so much for sharing your gift of music with all of us. Your lyrics and the music inspire us and make us long for more time at Londolozi and the magic of that beautiful place!
Absolutely! How special that this place exists and we’re able to enjoy it!
super
A wonderful song for a wonderful place!
Jemma, I loved the song🤗
What an inspirational song. Close to all our hearts and those who treasure what mother nature has openly given us to enjoy . Fab Reini 💓🙏
The comments only make it more worthwhile!!
Mahalo. Wonderful way to start my day 12 time zones away!!!
Very creative and beautiful!
What a wonderful song! Loved this! Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt sweet composition. Those voices were beautiful and loved the African feel! Fantastic!
Yes, the voices were such fun!! Can’t wait to hear the village choir’s version…
Love the words and the song – Londolozi is a very special place. Thanks for this different blog – totally enjoyed it.
Neil and I sat here at home in Randburg S.A. and thoroughly enjoyed that lovely, catchy song with the definite African beat. We found ourselves happily tapping our feet and swaying in time! I am sure it could easily become a popular hit with wider distribution. How about it, folk? Thanks again for it! Wendy and Neil MacNicol
Thank you for the positive feedback! We sing it around the house 🙂
Absolutely lovely! Well done.