Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit Grant

Empowers Africa is proud to announce a USD 5,500 grant in support of the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit to support for the employment of an additional unit supervisor needed to oversee operations of the Maseke Mamba Team created to patrol the Maseke Tribal Lands.
Transfrontier Africa founded the Black Mamba APU in 2013 to protect the Olifants West Region of Balule Wildlife Reserve in South Africa. The Black Mamba APU is the only anti-poaching unit that consists of primarily women and has expanded to cover all 400 km² of the Balule region.
The Black Mamba APU operates on three different planes. Level 1 entails routine procedures including foot-patrols, observation, vehicle checks and roadblocks. Level 2 is comprised of armed guards who protect the borders of Balule and an additional armed unit that is deployed into high-risk areas. Level 3, is a senior management team in charge of operations, deployment strategies, and organizing on-the-ground patrol units. Black Mambas are recruited from disadvantaged villages as part of the Extended Public Works Program, a social upliftment program working to address unemployment and promote skills development in South Africa. Although SANParks accommodates the rangers, Transfrontier Africa is responsible for all other costs including salaries, uniforms, equipment and transport for supervisors. The grant from Empowers Africa will help fund salaries, monthly food rations, uniforms, equipment (radio, GPS) and operational costs (vehicle maintenance, fuel, tires).
Empowers Africa is pleased to support such a crucial and socially empowering cause, and enjoyed meeting some of the Black Mambas in South Africa earlier this year. To learn more about the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit please visit www.blackmambas.org/
Photo credit: Black Bean Productions