What is the Power of 2000 and why are we doing this?
Founded in 2013 to protect the Olifants West Region of Balule Nature Reserve the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit were invited to expand into other regions and now protect all boundaries of the 52,000ha Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park.
Their teams work to the concept of the “Broken Window” philosophy, striving to make their area of influence the most undesirable, most difficult and least profitable place to poach any species. With a passion for wildlife and rhino conservation, these women are the voice in the community through their conservation work. The objectives of the Black Mamba project are not only the protection of rhinos through boots on the ground but also through being a role model in their communities. These 13 young women and 1 man want their communities to understand that the benefits are greater through rhino conservation rather than poaching, addressing the social and moral decay that is a product of the rhino poaching within their communities. They are concerned for their children’s sake as the false economy has brought loose morals and narcotics into their communities. They are responsible for all costs such as training, uniforms, equipment, food, vehicles, fuel and other daily operational expenses associated with the Black Mamba’s.
Bergvliet High has partnered with the Power of 2000 which aims to motivate 2000 people to donate R100 each to fund a motor vehicle for the Black Mamba’s. The school has raised R25 000 towards the campaign through a school based fundraising campaign in which all learners participated. Bergvliet High is the ONLY school which is currently supporting this initiative. We are extremely proud of our WomanUp and Green Club service groups who have teamed up to support the Black Mamba’s and the preservation of the White Rhino. We encourage other school to match or beat our R25 000 to help push the Power of 2000 towards their R200 000 target.
Mr Stephen Price