This Women’s Month, the spotlight is on women taking up roles in conservation, a field that has traditionally been dominated by men. For those working in the field, protecting wildlife comes with its own demands, risks and responsibilities.
Among them is 31-year-old Nothando Mazibuko, a Security Environmental Monitor at Songimvelo Nature Reserve. She works alongside field rangers as part of the team involved in protecting the reserve and its natural environment from threats such as poaching.
Speaking to Mpumalanga Mirror, Mazibuko reflected on her experience of working in a male-dominated field and the challenges that come with her role.
“Most of the time we patrol at night, which is very uncomfortable for me. There are also firearms there, and most of the time I go into the field unarmed. Sometimes you will find that I’m the only woman with them at night,” she said.
For Mazibuko, navigating that environment has meant learning resilience and self-reliance. “I have to be strong and I have to protect myself, because out there everyone looks after themselves,” she added.
Despite the challenges, she remains committed to the work. Wildlife protection, she says, is about more than enforcing rules, it’s about safeguarding a legacy for future generations.
