Long-standing partnership drives real impact in protecting South Africa’s endangered wildlife
Castrol South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to community conservation by donating R50,000 to the Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit – a bold, all-woman patrol team operating on the frontline of wildlife protection in the Greater Kruger National Park.
The donation, raised through the recently launched GTX LOOOOOONG RIDE campaign, marks a powerful milestone in Castrol’s enduring partnership with the Black Mambas.
As part of its mission to do more than just keep engines running, Castrol pledged R5 for every kilometre travelled during the GTX LOOOOOONG RIDE. The10,000km Cape-to-Kenya overland journey is an endurance challenge created to test the power and protection of Castrol GTX engine oil under African conditions.
That commitment has now materialised into a R50,000 donation, which will directly support the Mambas’ day-to-day operational costs, helping them patrol more effectively and expand their impact across conservation and community outreach.
A partnership built on purpose
The relationship between Castrol and the Black Mambas stretches back several years, built on shared values of endurance, resilience and protection under pressure. Castrol has supported the unit financially, but also through vehicle maintenance, engine oil supply and training workshops to keep the Mambas mobile and mission-ready.
“The Black Mambas are everyday heroes,” says Pooja Desai, Brand and Communications Manager – Southern Africa “Just like Castrol GTX keeps engines running clean and strong in the toughest environments, these women patrol some of the harshest terrain on earth to protect what we all value – wildlife, ecosystems and the future of our planet. Supporting them is not just a cause; it’s a commitment we believe in.”
Driving awareness and impact through the LOOOOOONG RIDE
The GTX LOOOOOONG RIDE is a way to test the product benefits e, and real-world impact. Launched in June 2025, the campaign has captured the imagination of audiences across Africa as the Castrol team journeys through eight countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya.
For every kilometre of road, track, and mountain crossed, Castrol has committed to giving back – and the Black Mambas were a natural choice.
“It’s about more than what our oil can do for your engine. It’s about what our brand can do for the world,” adds Desai. “Our partnership with the Mambas turns every litre of oil, every kilometre driven, into something much bigger – a step toward conservation, education, and social change.”
Empowering women to protect wildlife
The Black Mambas are the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit and have achieved global recognition for their work in reducing poaching activity in the Balule Nature Reserve by over 60%. Operating unarmed and supported by tactical units, these women walk up to 20km a day, monitor fences, track activity, and educate local communities through their Bush Babies outreach programme.
Their presence is not only a deterrent to poachers, it’s a symbol of community-driven conservation, female empowerment, and hope.
Craig Spencer, Founder of the Black Mambas, welcomed the donation, saying:
“Castrol’s support helps us do more than just keep boots on the ground. It enables us to build trust in our communities, educate the next generation, and serve as living proof that conservation is not only a man’s world. This partnership has grown over the years and remains one of the most impactful relationships we have.”
The donation will be used to cover essential operational needs, including food, uniforms, fuel, communications equipment and educational resources for the Bush Babies schools programme, which teaches thousands of local children the value of wildlife conservation.
More than a donation – it’s a commitment
The R50,000 handover will take place on 21 August and will celebrate a shared journey of endurance and purpose between a brand known for going the distance and a team of women who live that reality every day.
In a world increasingly defined by corporate purpose, Castrol is proving that meaningful partnerships can drive real-world change – from under the hood to under the African sky.
SUPPLIED.
