In the bustling neighborhood of Libanga, nestled in the Ndjili Brasserie district of the commune of N’Sele in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a prevalent activity shapes the daily routines of many men—sand extraction in the Ndjili river. Every day, amidst the scorching sun, these diligent workers commit themselves to extracting this vital material essential for construction purposes.
Among these dedicated men is Rodrigue, clad in simple work attire and armed with a basic spade, who sheds light on the challenges and expertise required for this laborious task. It demands not only physical robustness but also adept swimming skills to plunge deep, gather sand using improvised sieves, and load it onto the canoes.
Malachi accentuates the necessity of unwavering determination in pursuing this profession. He underscores the significance of swimming proficiency, a crucial skill in navigating the river’s unpredictability and averting potential hazards. With a wistful smile, he reminisces about learning to swim alongside friends during past aquatic escapades.
Balancing his role as a refrigeration engineer with sand extraction, Israel elaborates on the distinctions between the dry and rainy seasons. While the dry season facilitates work, the rainy periods pose additional trials, testing the endurance and resolve of the workers.
These men reveal the harsh reality of their daily grind, underscoring that each ton of extracted sand fetches a modest price, approximately 65,000 Congolese francs. The individually-owned canoes serve as transportation vessels for the sand, with the workers collectively deciding on income distribution.
Beyond the economic dimension, this activity mirrors the struggles encountered by numerous unemployed youth from neighboring communities, striving to fulfill their needs through honest yet often perilous means.
In essence, sand mining in the Ndjili River in Libanga transcends mere economic activity; it embodies a complex social and human reality where strength, courage, and solidarity are indispensable for survival and prosperity in a challenging yet hopeful environment.
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