Historical observations

Thabang Thembani

There are existing historical observations and evidence that capitalism has been and is still fundamentally cruel to the black majority of this world. Black people have always been subjected to exploitation for more than 300 years under the white imperial capitalist system, which has dispossessed black people with not only the land but also their pride and dignity.

Moreover, the South African economic strong point has always been mining, since South Africa is surrounded by valuable raw minerals like gold, diamond, and platinum. However, the growth of mining means the general economic growth of the county, South Africa. Negatively, this also causes serious devastation to the black community, because economic growth means more money in the pockets of the gentry and more exploitation of black bodies. Deriving from history,
it is clear that the success of any mine relies on black labor, this meant that for this to be successful: black men had to be dispossessed of their land, family, and culture and pay tax that left them no choice but to work the mines and give up their initial lives.

The narrative is still the same, even to date for the sake of being machines that help expand the neo-colonial economics development agenda. That is why back then black labor was a serious need for the mine owners because it has always been cheaper and stronger. Today the difference is:

Mines are shutting down, leaving the local community in a socioeconomic mess while the mine owners and shareholders cash out on their investments. In Nyakallong township, a place surrounded by 4 mines, where 3 have shut down leaving one mine in operation. The township looks like a ghost and dry town as if it doesn’t host 4 mines. This is a place without an operating community center, recreation center, and business center that will be able to sustain this community in the postmining economy.

The community of Nyakallong has always relied on the existence of mines to sustain their lives economically and socially. " You need to understand that with the mine owners, it is always business as usual without caring about the mining legacy the people of Nyakallong are going to be left with. I think the postmining economy should be the honest conversation the community of Nyakallong engages wholeheartedly at that" These words were expressed by Mr Mojalefa Sedumetse, who is a teacher at the local school called Mosala Secondary School over the conversation we shared about the economic future of the people of Nyakallong in the postmining economy.

The community of Nyakallong, as mine hosting community should understand that, from a historical point of view and current existing realities, imperial capitalists have never cared about anything except using black bodies to maximize their profit.