Mascom, BMC answer the call to ‘Save the Vulture’
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday July 9, 2025 12:13
Today a few thousand remain. In a continued effort to foster vulture conservation, Mascom through its staff-led Corporate Social Responsibility programme, 3-For-3 joined hands with the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) last weekend to support Goo-Moremi Gorge in its efforts to reverse the declining vulture populations. This year’s initiative was held under the theme 'Pushing for Automation to Drive the Conservation of Vultures'.
Whilst there is no recent data on current vulture numbers, the last known survey in 2018 recorded only 274 birds in the area.
Head guide at Goo-Moremi, Keorapetse Sego, says there are 23 vulture species globally, with five of them found in Botswana.
In the Goo-Moremi area specifically, two species were once regularly observed but today only the Cape Vulture remains.
“When monitoring these birds, as we occasionally do, research found that the chicks were suffering from calcium deficiency. They didn’t have strong bones, which made it difficult for them to fly,” the head guide said.
“As you know, vultures are large birds, and flight is critical for their survival. Supplementing them with calcium has really helped, and we’ve started seeing an increase in their population.”
Now in its third year, the donation from Mascom and BMC is aimed at supporting the nutritional needs of these endangered birds.
The joint contribution will provide a consistent supplementary food source for the next 12 months, helping to sustain the local vulture population and strengthen the overall ecosystem.
Mascom’s contact centre specialist, Pako Mosweunyane shared that the initiative was born from an earlier visit by a Mascom employee who was informed by Goo-Moremi staff that vultures in the area were facing a nutritional crisis, specifically calcium deficiency, a major threat to their survival.
“She mobilised her colleagues, and together they decided to support Goo-Moremi in addressing this urgent need, that marked the beginning of a five-year partnership.
“We’ve been coming here for three years now, and it’s such a pleasure to be told there’s an improvement in both the health and population of the vultures. Our goal is to make a lasting impact, and we’re committed to doing even more to support conservation in this area.” Mosweunyane shared.
Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) CEO, Mmabasotho Tibe, echoed similar sentiments, expressing pride in the company’s involvement.
“We are honoured to have been invited by Mascom Wireless to be part of this noble initiative,” Tibe said.
“Our involvement reflects our deepening commitment to environmental sustainability and our belief that conservation is a shared responsibility.”
Mascom’s Business Support Manager Moshe Koitsiwe added: “This partnership is more than just a donation it’s a demonstration of what can be achieved when businesses work together for the greater good. We are proud to stand alongside BMC, the Goo-Moremi community, and other partners in protecting these vital species.”
Now vultures once again circle the skies above Goo-Moremi Gorge, the partnership between Mascom and BMC serves as a beacon of hope and that even the most endangered species can be given a fighting chance.
Mascom 3-For-3 initiative, named in honour of the Three Dikgosi who negotiated Botswana’s independence, sees the staff dedicate three hours annually to giving back to communities.
The Goo-Moremi project is one of 47 carried out across the country.