What is needed is for regulators, mainly the Department of Mineral Resources and likeminded bodies, to make it easier for South African citizens who are involved in artisanal mining to get the necessary licences after their operations are consolidated as cooperatives.
South Africa, yet to recover from the devastating economic impact of the first lockdown over a year ago, is still digesting depressing news of a third wave of COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the new restrictions. For people in urban areas, videos of desperate villagers near Ladysmith in Kwazulu Natal zealously digging the ground in search of what they believe are diamonds have provided some lighthearted moments, some fleeting escapism from reality. These privileged class can afford the luxury of spending hundreds on data just to follow frivolous trending topics on social media platforms behind their high-end smartphones. Sadly, some amongst these urbanites have the temerity of ridiculing majority of unemployed multitudes, plunged in depths of despair to find some income, for lacking basic knowledge in geology and commonsense.
However, truth be told, the sight of people thronging to the area to hit a jackpot of a diamond find on mere speculation should not be an object for mirth, but pity. It is symptomatic of the worsening economic situation in the country, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and preceding conditions of an economic recession. Unemployment is at a record high – in fact, the highest amongst BRICS block of countries, of which South Africa is privileged to belong to.
This situation has driven people into a state where they are prone to be swayed by anything that could give them hope. That’s where they are subject to being manipulated by snake oil peddlers awash in populist politics, get-rich-schemes and prosperity gospel. Any myth that gives them hope is enthusiastically embraced.
Doubtless, an urgent intervention is due, as there is no crisis as epic as the current state of affairs.
For one thing, the relentless drive that ‘diamond’ prospectors have shown, braving the current blistering cold weather conditions and travelling long distances to the site in Ladysmith, Kwazulu Natal to participate in what is deemed ‘illegal mining activity’ is commendable. The same drive could be better replicated and rewarded in legal mining. Now, what is needed is for regulators, mainly the Department of Mineral Resources and likeminded bodies, to make it easier for South Africa citizens who are involved in artisanal mining in different to get the necessary licences as cooperatives. Artisanal mining could be one of the avenues where people could earn a living.
