**The Darkness of the Underground: A Reflection on Illegality and Life in the Shadow of South Africa’s Mines**
The harrowing story of the South African miner who survived six months in an abandoned mine sheds light on a terrifying but often overlooked reality: the desperate struggle of men and women who, driven by poverty and lack of opportunities, turn to illegal practices to survive. Beyond the horror experienced in this black hole, it is crucial to look at the socio-economic mechanisms that fuel this cycle of illegality and misery.
### The underground economy and its victims
Illegal mining in South Africa is not an isolated phenomenon. Statistics reveal that the country has approximately 6,100 abandoned mines, an Eldorado for illegal workers, with thousands of people resorting to this activity as their main source of income. According to reports from the International Labour Organization (ILO), 40% of South Africa’s population lives on less than $1.90 per day, and this is forcing even more families to risk their lives in extreme conditions.
It is essential to recognize that behind the phenomenon of “zama zama” – the term for these illegal miners – are stories of desperation. This 40-year-old miner, a father of six, is not an isolated case, but rather the face of an economic crisis that has intensified over the years, exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistics South Africa shows that the unemployment rate reached a record high of 35.3% in 2021, pushing millions of South Africans into even deeper poverty.
### The human dramas behind the statistics
The human tragedy that took place in the mine near Stilfontein, where several miners succumbed to malnutrition and diseases, speaks to a cruel reality that is often overlooked. According to testimonies recently collected by Fatshimetrie.org, less than 10% of these illegal workers receive social assistance. Families, destitute and desperate, see their loved ones engage in this illegal quest in the hope of finding a temporary solution to their economic woes.
The story of Mmastona Mbizana is emblematic of this struggle. Two of her sons, sacrificed on the altar of illegality to provide for the needs of a family, highlight the complexity of the situation. She is not content to see her children arrested; she bears witness to a system that has largely failed to offer viable alternatives to the despair that is eating away at the townships.
### A policy of repression without a strategy for a solution
The South African government’s response to this crisis — adopting a repressive approach by sending in police and military forces — raises questions about the long-term strategy. Rather than viewing illegal mining as a simple crime to be eradicated, it would be wise to analyse its root causes and initiate rehabilitation or professional retraining programmes.
Studies conducted by non-governmental organisations reveal that every dollar invested in economic development programmes in poor communities could reduce the crime rate by 5 to 10%, thus creating alternatives to illegality. Restoring trust between authorities and local communities could prove beneficial, both for security and the economy.
### Towards a reassessment of priorities
Stories such as that of the anonymous miner should not be limited to a simple horror story, but rather serve as a catalyst for deep reflection. Governments, NGOs, and especially economic actors in the mining sector must work together to create a framework where human life has value and where every South African can aspire to a future beyond the darkness.
Ultimately, this tragedy illustrates not only the dangers of illegality, but also the urgency of adopting a holistic approach that embraces economic development, legal employment and training. In the face of an uncertain future, it is our duty to build bridges to hope, rather than building walls to contain despair.