Luncheon guests stand to attention with the Black Mambas
Guests were treated to an informative talk by Lewyn Maefela from the Black Mambas Anti-poaching unit (APU) from Balule Nature Reserve.
The second to last Tzaneen Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon for 2018 took place at Hotel@Tzaneen on Friday.
Guests were treated to an informative talk by Lewyn Maefela from the Black Mambas Anti-poaching unit (APU) from Balule Nature Reserve.
The Black Mambas were founded in 2013 by Transfrontier Africa NPC, to protect the Olifants West Region of Balule Nature Reserve. Within the first year of operation the Black Mambas were invited to expand into other regions and now protect all boundaries of the 52,000 ha Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park.
The majority female anti-poaching soldiers walk approximately 20 kilometres per day to patrol the boundary fences of Balule. Should they come across suspicious tracks or activity, they call in for assistance from other anti-poaching teams.
Read: Monthly business luncheon a good laugh
The camouflage-clad women not only act as a visual deterrent to would-be poachers, but also carry out many outreach activities in the surrounding communities.
Through the Bush Babies Environmental Education Program, the Mambas work on a holistic approach to education – from teaching people about the importance of picking up litter, to disparaging myths about snakes, to educating communities about the plight of the rhino. Current conservation issues are discussed and incorporated into the existing school curriculum.
The Black Mambas work with 10 local schools in the area and reach out to approximately 1140 learners a week.
Furthermore, they aim to give back by assisting with classroom upgrades and the painting of school study areas.
Read: Black Mambas tackle poaching
Additionally, the APU offer a ‘Elders in the Park’ program, having offered the opportunity for 460 nature-loving grannies to enter the Kruger National Park.
This program is developed for the grandparents of the bush babies’ learners aged 60 years and above. It is specially developed for the grandparents that have never been into the Kruger National Park although they have lived on its boundaries their entire lives.
Lewyn’s informative and funny talk about the Black Mambas was well received by the luncheon guests. Tzaneen Chamber of Commerce would like to extend their thanks to Lewyn and the Black Mambas APU for the presentation, Hotel@Tzaneen and Pest Control Specialists for sponsoring the event and also to Pest Control Specialists and EcoChoice for sponsoring the guest hampers.
