By Chloe Carelse
With their excellent military training and their passion for conserving their land this team of 32 women could easily be mistaken for the Dora Milaje. Except they are not a fictional group of women leading a Hollywood Blockbuster. They are the real women of South Africa risking their lives daily.
This predominantly female led anti-poaching unit was founded in 2013 by Transfrontier Africa NPC. These women serve as the eyes and ears of the western boundary of the Kruger National Park, patrolling over 52000 ha.
Unarmed and exposed they managed to decrease the amount of Rhino poaching’s. In their first 13 months alone, they hadn’t lost a single Rhino in their area.
Felicia Mogahane a member of the Black Mambas said, “What we are doing is important and amazing. They say it’s a man’s job, but we are doing it.”
Not only are these women involved in anti-poaching efforts but they also educate the children in their community about the importance of conservation. In so doing they have become a great source of inspiration for both young girls and boys.
Their work hasn’t gone unnoticed outside their community either. They received the Silver Eco-Warrior Award, in 2015 they received the Best Conservation of the year Award and recently they were awarded the United Nations top accolade, The Champions of the Earth Award.
You too can make a contribution by assisting the Black Mambas financially through donations or supporting their fundraisers. You can also purchase some (if not all) of their merchandise of which 100% of the proceeds go’s towards funding their team. For more information on how you can do so you can go to their website at www.blackmambas.org.
Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” The Black Mambas have indeed proven this statement to be true.
This predominantly female led anti-poaching unit was founded in 2013 by Transfrontier Africa NPC. These women serve as the eyes and ears of the western boundary of the Kruger National Park, patrolling over 52000 ha.
Unarmed and exposed they managed to decrease the amount of Rhino poaching’s. In their first 13 months alone, they hadn’t lost a single Rhino in their area.
Felicia Mogahane a member of the Black Mambas said, “What we are doing is important and amazing. They say it’s a man’s job, but we are doing it.”
Not only are these women involved in anti-poaching efforts but they also educate the children in their community about the importance of conservation. In so doing they have become a great source of inspiration for both young girls and boys.
Their work hasn’t gone unnoticed outside their community either. They received the Silver Eco-Warrior Award, in 2015 they received the Best Conservation of the year Award and recently they were awarded the United Nations top accolade, The Champions of the Earth Award.
You too can make a contribution by assisting the Black Mambas financially through donations or supporting their fundraisers. You can also purchase some (if not all) of their merchandise of which 100% of the proceeds go’s towards funding their team. For more information on how you can do so you can go to their website at www.blackmambas.org.
Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” The Black Mambas have indeed proven this statement to be true.