DJ TIRA & GUGU KHATHI’S GETAWAY TO KAMPAMA GAME RESERVE
Visit Kapama Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park with music producer, DJ Tira and his wife, Gugu Khathi.
Power couple DJ Tira and Gugu Khathi are a force within the South African entertainment industry. Tira is one of Mzansi’s most established DJs and record label owners, and Gugu is a well-respected entrepreneur and media personality. The Insider SA joins them on a getaway to Kapama Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park.
DJ Tira has catapulted local sounds onto a national and global stage and has been part of the collective that popularized gqom music. His company, Afrotainment, is responsible for recording many South African greats and hitmakers, including Dladla Mshuqisi and rising stars like The Q Twins.
As two busy media moguls and the parents of three children, Tira and Gugu look forward to taking some time out to relax and rejuvenate. “It’s nice to come away and think of new strategies, new ideas, and see beautiful animals,” shares Tira.
According to General Manager of Kapama, Christiaan Basson, Tira and Gugu are going to experience just that. Here, you get treated like kings, Christiaan explains. “Kapama Karula Lodge is made unique by the architecture: it’s a modern, contemporary lodge designed and built on the banks of the perennial Klaserie River. The rooms all have their own splash pools overlooking the river.”
At Kapama, Tira and Gugu can also look forward to morning and afternoon game drives, the in-house spa, and enjoy the quietness of the African bush. Marveling at the architecture, Tira remarks, “I think this is one of South Africa’s hidden gems.”
Not only is the getaway to the Kruger a chance for Tira and Gugu to relax, but also a time to reconnect. Gugu reflects on their relationship, sharing, “We met in the early ‘90s – I was a student and so was he. We were both still on the hustle: I was a dancer for Mafikizolo and he was on his ‘come up’ hustle in the DJ space.”
“I saw this beautiful lady. I liked her but nothing happened – just friendship vibes,” shares Tira. But even after they got together, the friendship continued to grow. Gugu confesses, “What I love about Tira is that I didn’t just get companionship – I got a friend, a lover, and a bestie.”
Tira adds, “Gugu is a woman and a half. She’s a good mother, allows me to work so I can feed the family, and she supports me. I love that she loves me the way she loves me.”
Executive chef at Kampama Karula, Makhi Maki, prepares a dish to remind Tira and Gugu of their childhood in KZN: deboned lamb head, samp, kale puree, lamb cutlet and lamb tongue. Chef Makhi explains, “This dish invokes childhood memories of having your lamb head prepared around the fire. I’m trying to bring up that experience through the dish.”
After tasting delicious memories of their youth, it was time to relax. At the spa, DJ Tira and Gugu enjoy an African Calabash massage to stimulate blood and limb circulation. After that, they enjoy a hydrotherapy bath to leave them feeling relaxed. Completely content, Tira remarks, “I’m enjoying every moment.”
Tira’s dream to see lions was finally realised at Kapama Game Reserve. The safari across the Greater Kruger National Park had the couple up close and personal with the Big 5, along with plenty of bird species.
As the king of the jungle and the king of the SA music industry connect, Tira reflects on his career saying, “I would really like to be remembered as the guy who managed to put people up there. I want to go out of my way to help someone become the next superstar.”
By instilling values they hold dear, industry leaders DJ Tira and Gugu Khathi are creating a legacy their children can be proud of.
