Black Mambas

The Black Mambas were formed in 2013, at the peak of the Kruger National Park’s rhino poaching crisis, to protect the park and conserve its wildlife. Women from neighbouring communities signed up, proud to wear the park uniform and take on a role traditionally held by men. Qolile, a hardworking mother badly needs the income. New recruit Naledi is enthusiastic about her new role. Nkateko is the most ambitious, but her plans are stymied by her white male supervisors. Germany-based documentarian Lena Karbe films the women at home and work, and as they walk the perimeter looking for signs of creatures and poachers. In doing so, she skilfully exposes the multifarious barriers the women face to achieve their dreams.