In brief
The harsh realities of South Africa's illegal mining scene unfold as Ndumiso, a "zama zama," navigates life underground in disused gold mines. The risks are grave as gangs rule over critical resources, leading miners into a life fraught with danger but offering financial respite from poverty.
Despite being dangerous and precarious, illegal mining in South Africa has become a lifeline for many workers like Ndumiso, who, after being laid off from a legitimate mining job, found himself in the harrowing world of zama-zamas—illegal miners who navigate both physical threats and criminal elements as they seek precious gold. Ndumiso describes the underground community he belongs to, which has emerged from the remains of shut-down mines, creating a parallel economy complete with markets and even a red light district. He recounts surviving an existence where the loss of life is a grim reality, referring to one area as the "zama-zama graveyard."For Ndumiso, entering the illegal sector has proven financially rewarding, allowing him to provide for his family in Johannesburg, where he owns a house and has sent his children to school. His underground life, however, is treacherous; he works amidst bodies and the pervasive threat of violence, all while relying on monthly "protection fees" to gang members who safeguard him against rival factions—alluding to the organized crime syndicates that have infiltrated this sub-economy.The South African government has begun taking measures to address the rampant illegal mining. Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni expressed a commitment to clearing mines of these miners, who are often heavily armed. Nevertheless, many analysts, such as researcher David van Wyk, argue that targeting miners alone will not curb illegal activities, as it fails to address the powerful criminal networks prospering from this underground economy.As Ndumiso prepares for his next stint underground, he acknowledges the arduous nature of his work, which relies on rudimentary tools and survival instincts honed in darkness. Yet, the lure of wealth keeps him and others descending into these perilous depths, facing grinding and dangerous conditions in exchange for a shot at a better life in a country grappling with steep unemployment.
