Castrol South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to community conservation with a R50,000 donation to the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit – an all-women patrol team on the frontline of wildlife protection in the Greater Kruger National Park.
The funds were raised through Castrol’s GTX LOOOOOONG RIDE campaign, a Cape-to-Kenya endurance journey created to test the performance of Castrol GTX engine oil under African conditions. For every kilometre travelled during the journey, Castrol pledged R5, which has now translated into direct support for the Mambas’ operational costs.
The relationship between Castrol and the Black Mambas is rooted in shared values of endurance, resilience, and protection. Beyond financial assistance, Castrol has supported the unit with vehicle maintenance, engine oil supply, and training workshops to ensure the Mambas remain mobile and mission-ready.
“The Black Mambas are everyday heroes,” says Pooja Desai, Brand and Communications Manager – Southern Africa. “Just as Castrol GTX keeps engines strong in the toughest conditions, these women patrol some of the harshest terrain to protect wildlife, ecosystems, and our planet’s future. Supporting them is more than a cause – it’s a commitment.”
The GTX LOOOOOONG RIDE campaign has captured the imagination of audiences across Africa by showcasing endurance, performance, and real-world impact. For Castrol, the initiative is about more than proving product benefits; it is about demonstrating the brand’s ability to create meaningful change.
“Our partnership with the Mambas turns every litre of oil and every kilometre driven into something bigger – a step toward conservation, education, and social change,” adds Desai.
The Black Mambas are the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit, globally recognised for reducing poaching activity in the Balule Nature Reserve by over 60%. Operating unarmed and supported by tactical units, the women patrol up to 20km a day, monitor fences, track illegal activity, and educate communities through their Bush Babies outreach programme.
Craig Spencer, Founder of the Black Mambas, describes the support as vital:
“Castrol’s partnership allows us to do more than keep boots on the ground. It helps us build trust in communities, educate the next generation, and prove that conservation is not only a man’s world.”
The donation will cover essential needs, including food, uniforms, fuel, communications equipment, and resources for the Bush Babies schools programme, which teaches thousands of local children about the value of wildlife conservation.
This partnership reflects a shared journey of endurance and purpose between a brand built on performance and a team of women redefining conservation. Castrol’s commitment proves that corporate purpose can drive real-world change – from under the hood to under the African sky.
