Zimbabwe’s veteran women rangers, the Akashinga, gain limelight in latest short documentary which profiles their bravery to combat poaching in a life-threatening environment.
Wildlife protection is regarded as a man’s job due to its high risk and danger from both poachers and the animals, but the Akashinga (Brave Ones), an all-female group, has helped reduce poaching by almost 80% since its inception in 2017. The group, formed by former Australian sniper Damien Mander, is an arm of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation.
The Akashinga group consists of an army of highly trained women who are changing the narrative in the wildlife industry. They have managed to liberate themselves from abuse and are now economically empowered as well.
Nyaradzo Auxillia Hoto, 28, now a sergeant, ran from an abusive marriage and has been able to put her life back on track since becoming a ranger in 2017.
“Before, it was commonly accepted that a ranger was always a man, but after the introduction of the Akashinga program, I wanted to prove that no job is only meant for men. At first, my community couldn’t believe a woman could be a ranger. But the sky is the limit, and women can also be rangers. I managed to pursue my educational dreams. I dropped out of school many years ago; I am now a part-time student at one of the universities in Zimbabwe, pursuing a bachelor’s degree with honors in science, wildlife, ecology, and conservation. I also managed to buy a plot of land in our community,” she said in an interview with ELLE.com.
Another female ranger Petronella Chigumbura, a divorcee and mother of two, was failing to provide basic needs for her children until she joined the Akashinga army.
“As a woman, I was focused on using Akashinga as a tool to fight my battle for a better life. I can now feed my kids and pay school fees for them. I acquired a driver’s license, which is a big deal for women in Africa! I am also building a big house for my children. Now I have the pride of having my own future,” she also said to ELLE.
Just like a mother protects her own child regardless of circumstances, these women also protect the animals despite the risks involved.
“Poachers use guns, snares, and even poison. Some use cyanide that kills a thousand animals in a few minutes. Many poachers here in Zimbabwe are driven by poverty, hunger, and the search for survival. One day we arrested a poacher who was not complying. He was very resistant. It was difficult for us to guess what he was thinking about us because he had a very sharp spear and a big knife,” said Chigumba in the interview.
“The way I love my kids is the same way I love wildlife, and this has helped me to create a strong bond with the animals. Akashinga ladies just live as a family with the wildlife. We’ve got a motherly, caring heart. I don’t want to see any cruelty inflicted on any animal,” she added.
Hoto also recalled the day she came close range to a lion.
“It’s also difficult to assume there’s no threat during patrol times, because you might encounter dangerous wildlife or even armed poachers. One day, we came across a lion just 10 meters [almost 33 feet] away. It was my first time meeting a lion that close.”
The women, who now have a strong bond with the wildlife, hope that the general public will get a better understanding of nature and the beauty of wildlife so that poaching stops. According to them, economic empowerment or a different source of livelihood is also crucial in the anti-poaching journey.
The story of the Akashinga Anti-Poaching Group is not just a story about female rangers; it is about a fight against old beliefs and a fight for a better life. The 13-minute film entitled “Akashinga: The Brave Ones,” done by James Cameron and directed by Maria Wilhelm, was made in conjunction with National Geographic and is already available on YouTube. It was debuted on August 12.
Phoebie Shamiso Chigonde is a journalist passionate about gender equality, social development programmes and grassroots-based solution seeking initiatives. She has a passion for women and community development. Phoebie is also a radio personality at a regional commercial radio station, a platform that enables her to network with like-minded women, journalists and activists as she continues to document and tell the story of the ordinary woman from the lens of that very ordinary woman.