Ndumiso resides and works underground in a small town controlled by a gang, along with approximately 600 other men, at a disused gold mine in South Africa. He is known as a “zama zama”, an illegal miner, after being laid off by a mining company. Despite the dangers of underground life, Ndumiso finds the job lucrative, allowing him to provide for his family and send his children to school. He lives in a house he purchased and extended, thanks to the profits from selling gold on the black market.
The government has launched a crackdown on illegal mining, with a recent stand-off at the mine where Ndumiso works. While negotiations are ongoing, Ndumiso waits to see how the situation unfolds before deciding whether to return underground. Illegal mining has become a significant issue in South Africa, with many retrenched workers turning to this dangerous work due to high unemployment rates in the country.
Ndumiso’s work involves using dynamite and rudimentary tools to find gold, which he then sells on the black market. He shares his earnings with the gang leader, receiving a minimum payment every two weeks. Despite the risks and challenges of the job, Ndumiso continues to work underground, coming up to the surface every few months to spend time with his family and sell his gold.
The illegal mining industry in South Africa is complex, involving armed gangs and dangerous chemicals in the gold extraction process. Ndumiso navigates this world to support his family, earning far more than he did as a legally employed miner. The government’s efforts to crack down on this industry face challenges due to the diverse nature of the criminal networks involved.