Lewyn
Full Name: Lewyn Maefala
Born: January 1993
Role: Running the Bush Babies education outreach programme
Why did you join the Black Mambas? I joined the Black Mambas as I wanted to contribute towards their goal of conservation of animals through environmental education.
What do you enjoy most about the job? I love reaching out to the local communities and raising awareness about the conservation of both fauna and flora, also the role of being a liaison officer between the reserve and the local community.
Leitah
Full Name: Leitah Mkhabela
Born: 1993
Role: Sergeant in the Black Mambas
Why did you join the Black Mambas? It empowers women, and to protect nature for the next generation and the rhino from being poached.
What do you enjoy most about the job? Since there is a team of the Black Mambas, rhino poaching is at a low level. I enjoy it because it is all about protecting the environment and living in the bush with the Big 5, which people from Europe are desperate to come to South Africa to see.
Collet
Full Name: Collet Innah Ngobeni
Born: 1993
Role: Sergeant in the Black Mambas
Why did you join the Black Mambas? Because I love nature! I want to protect wild animals. When I saw dead rhino on the news I told myself that enough is enough. I am going to fight for the innocent lives which are taken by cruel and greedy individuals because rhino deserve to live just like any other animal.
What do you enjoy most about the job? Patrolling the fence because I want people to see that we are here and protecting this reserve.
Felicia
Full Name: Felicia Mogakane
Born: 1988
Role: Sergeant in the Black Mambas
Why did you join the Black Mambas? I joined the Black Mambas because of my love of nature and I want to protect the rhino and all other wildlife.
What do you enjoy most about the job? Patrolling the fence, checking for signs of poachers tracks trying to get into our reserve and searching for snares in the bush.
Nocry
Full Name: Nocry Mzimba
Born: 1994
Role: Sergeant in the Black Mambas
Why did you join the Black Mambas? Because I wanted to help save all wildlife, including the rhino. They need more help because of all the poaching problems.
What do you enjoy most about the job? Sweeping because I enjoy looking for tracks to see if people have come in to our reserve. I also like to remove snares because animals can easily get caught in them and killed for meat.
Yenzekile
Full Name: Nozipho Yenzekile Mathebula
Born: 1992
Role: Sergeant in the Black Mambas
Why did you join the Black Mambas? Because I love nature and I want to protect everything in it by putting a stop to poaching.
What do you enjoy most about the job? Patrolling the fence because I want people to see that the Black Mambas mean business.