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- Published:
- 9 April 2019
Joy is one of the 32 female Rangers with the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, which is one of the first majority female anti-poaching units in South Africa.
Joy and her fellow Rangers are responsible for protecting vulnerable wildlife and educating and empowering local communities in the greater Kruger National Park region.
At first it was hard for me because we undergo a lot of training and the training was too hard for me. I told myself that I have to do it because it’s my job and we have to protect nature.
- Joy Matebula
The journey to becoming a ranger is not an easy one, it involves intense training and requires dedication and a true passion for conservation. There were times during her training when Joy doubted herself, but her passion to make a difference in her community, as well as the support from her fellow rangers drove her and helped her overcome these challenges. There is so much power in supporting and uplifting each other – We can go further if we go together and these incredible women are the perfect example of this.
Watch our film to hear Joy’s story and learn more about the important work the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit is doing.
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