‘Mamba’ Mzimba is a force to be reckoned with

Nkateko Mzimba, a member of the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit, is a force to be reckoned with. The unit consists of 23 all-female members who are role models in their communities. Mzimba hails from Hluvukani village and is part of the ‘Mambas in the Park’ project which is aimed at taking children to the Manyeleti Game Reserve within Greater Kruger. Mambas in the Park was formed by Wild Olive Tree Camp, Transfrontier Africa, the Black Mambas and Nourish and Global March for Elephants and Rhinos (GMFER). The initiator of the programme and a member of the board of GMFER, Rosemary Alles, said these organisations sponsor monthly campouts with the Black Mambas, their families, and their children at Manyeleti.

“The campout is hosted at Wild Olive Tree Camp and consists of workshops centered around ecology and community. During the campout, the Mambas and their children participate in a 3-hour game drive into Manyeleti Game Reserve where they experience the wonder of myriad iconic animals. “It is concluded with an educational programme hosted at Nourish Eco- Village on the nature and value of ‘wild kindness’,” she said. Mzimba is a sergeant and driver in the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit. She told the Herald that the Mambas in the Park has helped children from her community to get to know the animals they only knew from television and magazines.

Also read: Elephants Alive scoops awards

“This project plays a huge role in educating the children about animal behaviour, they also learn more about the bush and other species,” she said. Mzimba said she loves being part of the project as it brings smiles to children’s faces. “Some of the children visited Kruger National Park (KNP) for the first time through this project and I am certain that they will cherish the memories forever,” she said. Although the project cannot accommodate everyone, her wish is to take all the children in her community to KNP. She told the Herald that she is proud to be part of nature conservation and looking after the wildlife. Her dream job is to be a tour guide and when the opportunity presented itself at the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, she did not think twice because of her love for nature conservation. “I always wanted to work in the bush, I really enjoy being a Black Mamba and also working with children,” she said.