In brief
In the depths of abandoned gold mines in South Africa, illegal miners, known as "zama zamas," navigate a dangerous existence to provide for their families amidst gang control and high risks.
In a hidden underground society within South Africa's disused gold mines, approximately 600 men like Ndumiso have forged a life as illegal miners or "zama zamas." After losing his job in the formal mining sector, the 52-year-old found himself drawn into this underground world, driven by the potential for higher earnings despite the life-threatening risks it entails. During a BBC interview, Ndumiso, who requested anonymity due to security concerns, described the chilling reality of his workplace, where dangers range from rival gangs to rockfalls. "In one level of the shaft, there are bodies and skeletons; we call it the zama-zama graveyard," he revealed. These men labor in conditions that most would avoid at all costs, often staying underground for months on end. Ndumiso, who used to earn a modest monthly salary of less than $220 as a drill operator, now surfaces every three months with earnings that can reach $5,500. His profits allow him to support his family and even fund his children's education, despite the illegal and dangerous nature of his work.The challenges of the zama zama lifestyle are compounded by recent government measures to eradicate illegal mining, where officials contend that high-profile gang activity has exacerbated crime in mining communities. Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has condemned the miners and acts to cut off essential supplies of food and water, leading to a standoff with security forces. "Criminals are not to be helped. Criminals are to be persecuted," she stated, adding urgency to the crackdown on the illegal mining industry.Despite the perils of his work, Ndumiso said he prefers this life over more dangerous criminal pursuits. Family responsibilities motivate him to continue, as he tries to escape the high unemployment rate that leaves many South Africans with few options. There are an estimated 36,000 zama zamas in Gauteng alone, many of whom have formed tight-knit communities underground, complete with markets and even a red light district run by gangs.On the surface, the stigma of their work lingers, yet for Ndumiso and many like him, the underground has become a haven, albeit a treacherous one. His arrangements with the gang leaders allow for relative safety and access to tools, while the overarching threat of violence underscores the reality of this clandestine economy. As the South African government seeks methods to curb illegal mining, many feel the social and economic implications of these actions could worsen their existing struggles. The labyrinth of tunnels and pits not only represents a physical space of labor for these men but has also become a way of life deeply entwined with the ongoing battle against poverty and crime. In a nation grappling with an unemployment rate exceeding 30%, Ndumiso and his fellow miners continue to navigate the buried complexities of survival, embracing an existence marked by both risk and desperation for a better life.
