Shot secretly and smuggled out of South Africa at the height of the apartheid…
Dying for Gold
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- Cataloging
- Transcript
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In the biggest class action law suit the country had ever seen, South Africa’s largest gold mining companies were accused of knowingly exposing miners to deadly dust and disease.
Now, harrowing underground footage, intimate interviews with miners and their families, and rare archival material come together in DYING FOR GOLD, the untold story of the making of South Africa.
Coerced by colonial laws, hundreds of thousands of men left their families in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe and and to feed a seemingly endless need for cheap gold-digging labor. They became fodder for companies including Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Goldfields who reaped vast profits at the cost of human lives a system of modern slavery.
After more than a century of this practice, communities have been decimated. Poverty is overwhelming. Decades of men’s absence has left communities broken and unsustainable without their meager salaries. With the miners' inevitable illnesses, including silicosis and tuberculosis, their families are further burdened. The personal stories from miners across the sub-continent is visceral, intensely personal and devastating.
In their gripping documentary, South African director and longtime William Kentridge collaborator Catherine Meyburgh and South African-Namibian director Richard Pakleppa expose a century of deplorable environmental, labor and human rights practices, bringing to light the real cost of gold at last.
“A remarkable portrait [of] chilling poignancy; deft cinematic storytelling. The terrible beauty of the film is its effectiveness in capturing how mining imprisons each protagonist in a unique way.” —Daniel Hoffman, Ph.D., African Studies Chair and Professor of Anthropology, University of Washington
“A powerful and haunting chronicle of South African mining seen from the particular prism of its health impact on the men who have toiled underground.” —Rebecca Davis, Daily Maverick
“An important, eye-opening documentary which pulls back the curtain and reveals all of the ugly truths about the South African gold mining industry.” —Sam Kolesnik, Screen Fervor
Citation
Main credits
Meyburgh, Catherine (film producer)
Meyburgh, Catherine (film director)
Meyburgh, Catherine (narrator)
Meyburgh, Catherine (editor of moving image work)
Pakleppa, Richard (film producer)
Pakleppa, Richard (film director)
Pakleppa, Richard (videographer)
Other credits
Edited by Catherine Meyburgh; camera, Richard Pakleppa; original music by Philip Miller.
Distributor subjects
Africa; South Africa; Labor StudiesKeywords
WEBVTT
00:07:42.033 --> 00:07:43.433
Liao Manyokole\'s fear
00:07:43.934 --> 00:07:45.934
of silicosis is not unfounded.
00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:49.367
Gold mining has
gone hand in hand
00:07:49.467 --> 00:07:53.467
with illness and death since
the discovery of gold in 1886.
00:07:57.533 --> 00:08:00.409
To start to understand
the real cost of gold
00:08:00.433 --> 00:08:03.833
in our lives today, we
uncovered voices and images
00:08:04.333 --> 00:08:07.333
in South Africa\'s state
and mining archives.
00:08:16.066 --> 00:08:18.376
The dangers of silica
dust have been known
00:08:18.400 --> 00:08:21.600
since the early days of
deep-level gold mining.
00:08:54.133 --> 00:08:55.666
Water is a great factor
00:08:55.967 --> 00:08:58.634
in maintaining good
health underground.
00:08:59.033 --> 00:09:01.476
It is fed through pipes
to the machine drills,
00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:03.767
passing through
the drill itself,
00:09:04.233 --> 00:09:06.743
thus keeping down the
dangerous sharp-edge rock dust
00:09:06.767 --> 00:09:10.900
which in the past
was responsible for
silicosis or phthisis.
00:09:11.633 --> 00:09:14.766
On one mine alone, 2.5
million gallons per day
00:09:15.667 --> 00:09:17.400
are used for this purpose.
00:10:08.767 --> 00:10:10.176
Here come the committee now,
00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:13.667
full meetings once a week
in various subcommittees.
00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:15.309
And on top of that, of course,
00:10:15.333 --> 00:10:17.933
they have their own
businesses to run.
00:10:18.934 --> 00:10:21.667
I wonder what\'s on
the agenda for today.
00:10:35.633 --> 00:10:36.576
To prevent competition
00:10:36.600 --> 00:10:38.876
for labor, the mining
companies formed
00:10:38.900 --> 00:10:41.433
a cartel called the
Chamber of Mines.
00:10:43.934 --> 00:10:45.734
Gentlemen, the big increase
00:10:45.967 --> 00:10:48.142
that has occurred in
the demand for labor
00:10:48.166 --> 00:10:50.710
has the close attention
of the committee.
00:10:50.734 --> 00:10:53.467
Two main objects have
been kept in view,
00:10:54.200 --> 00:10:57.867
the principal one, the
maintenance of supply of labor,
00:10:58.633 --> 00:11:01.033
the second, the
reduction of wages.
00:11:30.767 --> 00:11:32.009
Recruiting cheap labor
00:11:32.033 --> 00:11:34.900
in large numbers was
essential for profit.
00:11:35.300 --> 00:11:37.543
We found an interview
with Mr. Lovett,
00:11:37.567 --> 00:11:41.034
general manager of the
Native Labour Organisations.
00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:49.067
Through the swamps of Okavango,
00:11:49.533 --> 00:11:52.200
riding the broad
waters of the Zambezi,
00:11:53.333 --> 00:11:55.666
over the great
lakes of Nyasaland,
00:11:55.834 --> 00:11:57.701
from jungle and desert land,
00:12:02.834 --> 00:12:06.367
from the great mountains
of Basutoland and Swaziland
00:12:06.734 --> 00:12:09.601
and the rolling flatlands
of Bechuanaland,
00:12:16.266 --> 00:12:19.066
from every reserve
and every native area,
00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:21.676
almost every kraal
in Southern Africa,
00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:25.033
a steady stream of native
laborers moves forward.
00:12:36.667 --> 00:12:39.042
They\'re on their way
to the Rand mines
00:12:39.066 --> 00:12:41.999
to help produce the
wealth of South Africa.
00:12:42.333 --> 00:12:44.666
Two organizations
take them there,
00:12:44.900 --> 00:12:46.843
the Native Recruiting
Corporation
00:12:46.867 --> 00:12:50.134
and the Witwatersrand
Native Labour Association.
00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.743
The heart of the
organizations is
00:12:55.767 --> 00:12:59.076
in the Chamber of Mines
building in Hollard Street,
00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:02.700
but the arteries stretch
far across the subcontinent.
00:15:12.433 --> 00:15:13.433
The boy is fit.
00:15:13.467 --> 00:15:14.467
Next one.
00:15:22.133 --> 00:15:24.466
Heart disease, the
boy is not fit.
00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:34.967
Now, Frans, ask these boys
if they fully understand
00:15:35.467 --> 00:15:37.334
the terms of their contract.
00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:42.900
The Chamber of
Mines report of 1898
00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:47.300
concerning the Portuguese
colony of Mozambique.
00:15:49.367 --> 00:15:51.309
The east-coast
native pays us better
00:15:51.333 --> 00:15:54.666
in every respect than any
native of South Africa.
00:15:55.066 --> 00:15:57.276
He certainly comes farther
and takes more trouble
00:15:57.300 --> 00:16:00.476
to collect, but when we
get him, he stays longer,
00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:02.810
and after he has once
learned his business,
00:16:02.834 --> 00:16:05.176
he almost invariably
comes back again
00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:07.267
after he has gone to his kraal.
00:17:57.667 --> 00:18:00.676
A fee of one pound, 14
shillings and sixpence
00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:03.409
per native per annum
is paid by the mines,
00:18:03.433 --> 00:18:07.433
to the Portuguese government
in the province of Mozambique.
00:19:44.066 --> 00:19:45.276
With doll-like houses,
00:19:45.300 --> 00:19:47.509
for the prosperous
South Africans
00:19:47.533 --> 00:19:50.200
have made themselves
quite comfortable.
00:19:51.934 --> 00:19:53.476
We have seen what the white man
00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:56.300
has achieved for
himself in South Africa.
00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:59.033
What has he done for the native?
00:19:59.233 --> 00:20:00.766
He has put him to work.
00:21:47.533 --> 00:21:49.533
Dear sir, native labor supply.
00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:53.309
I am of the opinion
that meetings
00:21:53.333 --> 00:21:56.009
and mere talk of the
work of the gold mines
00:21:56.033 --> 00:21:57.676
are not sufficiently impressive
00:21:57.700 --> 00:22:00.300
nor lasting enough
on the native mind.
00:22:03.533 --> 00:22:05.743
Therefore, I suggest
that the corporation
00:22:05.767 --> 00:22:08.543
should endeavor to
advertise through the medium
00:22:08.567 --> 00:22:10.700
of open-air cinematograph shows.
00:22:11.367 --> 00:22:14.300
Pictures depicting
Johannesburg, the mines,
00:22:14.467 --> 00:22:17.242
the compounds, the
amount of money earned,
00:22:17.266 --> 00:22:19.399
the comfort and safety of mining
00:22:19.633 --> 00:22:21.766
would have far-reaching results.
00:22:23.166 --> 00:22:26.566
Yours faithfully, District
Manager, Vryheid, 1925.
00:22:30.633 --> 00:22:32.300
Dear sir, I would suggest
00:22:32.567 --> 00:22:36.042
that the film contain scenes
in the following order.
00:22:36.066 --> 00:22:39.199
Scene one, mine head
gear, early morning shift
00:22:40.867 --> 00:22:43.000
awaiting conveyance underground.
00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:46.300
Scene two, kraals belonging
to principal chiefs
00:22:47.333 --> 00:22:48.800
in native territories.
00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:34.533
In 1903, a commission of inquiry
00:23:35.133 --> 00:23:37.843
into labor needs of
mining and agriculture
00:23:37.867 --> 00:23:41.734
reflects on proposals made to
ensure the supply of labor.
00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.609
We have formed the opinion
00:23:44.633 --> 00:23:46.543
that the scarcity
of native labor
00:23:46.567 --> 00:23:48.476
is due first and
foremost to the fact
00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:50.476
that the African
native tribes are
00:23:50.500 --> 00:23:53.033
in possession of
large areas of land.
00:23:59.000 --> 00:24:02.109
No considerable change can
reasonably be anticipated
00:24:02.133 --> 00:24:05.733
in their industrial habits
until a great modification
00:24:05.867 --> 00:24:08.800
of these conditions
has been brought about.
00:24:11.533 --> 00:24:15.266
The imposition of higher
taxes was generally advocated.
00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:18.276
The introduction of
legislation modifying
00:24:18.300 --> 00:24:21.900
the native land tenure system
was generally approved.
00:24:23.533 --> 00:24:26.000
The proposals put
forward to improve
00:24:26.033 --> 00:24:27.309
the supply of natives recommends
00:24:27.333 --> 00:24:31.076
that the existing native social
system should be attacked,
00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:34.233
with the object of
modifying or destroying it.
00:34:26.033 --> 00:34:27.766
Dear sir, propaganda film.
00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:30.676
I have to inform you that in
conjunction with the showing
00:34:30.700 --> 00:34:33.543
of the film, large
recruiting meetings were held
00:34:33.567 --> 00:34:36.700
at the centers shown on
the attached schedule.
00:34:37.066 --> 00:34:39.509
Meetings were attended
by chiefs and inDunas
00:34:39.533 --> 00:34:41.876
with their young
men from far afield,
00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:44.767
and the attendance of
approximately 19,000
00:34:44.834 --> 00:34:46.834
at all meetings was remarkable
00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:48.209
and could not have been assured
00:34:48.233 --> 00:34:52.166
unless provision had been made
to give them meat and beer.
00:44:22.967 --> 00:44:25.710
Monthly reports from
the district offices
00:44:25.734 --> 00:44:28.643
reveal how surveillance
of rural communities
00:44:28.667 --> 00:44:30.734
served the recruitment project.
00:44:33.367 --> 00:44:34.434
Dear sir, crops.
00:44:35.300 --> 00:44:37.033
No crops owing to drought.
00:44:39.066 --> 00:44:42.199
Little or no winter
plowing has been possible.
00:44:43.333 --> 00:44:46.066
Recruiting prospects:
I think recruiting
00:44:47.266 --> 00:44:49.209
will continue to
be satisfactory.
00:44:49.233 --> 00:44:52.042
The continued drought,
scarcity of foodstuffs,
00:44:52.066 --> 00:44:54.376
and the imposition
of the poll tax
00:44:54.400 --> 00:44:58.000
generally makes matters very
serious for the natives,
00:44:58.400 --> 00:45:01.133
and they will be
compelled to seek work.
00:46:56.066 --> 00:46:58.776
The mining industry
has been built up upon
00:46:58.800 --> 00:47:01.667
and must, if it is
profitably to continue,
00:47:02.166 --> 00:47:04.699
remain dependent
upon the cheap labor
00:47:04.900 --> 00:47:06.910
derived from the
employment of men who have
00:47:06.934 --> 00:47:10.401
supplementary means of
subsistence in the reserves.
00:47:14.300 --> 00:47:17.710
Certainly, if the mines were
suddenly compelled to pay
00:47:17.734 --> 00:47:21.334
for unskilled labor, the
wage which would be adequate
00:47:21.700 --> 00:47:23.576
for a native living with
his family permanently
00:47:23.600 --> 00:47:26.600
on the Witwatersrand,
the dislocating effect
00:47:26.767 --> 00:47:30.300
upon the gold mining industry
would be catastrophic.
00:47:31.533 --> 00:47:34.710
Probably half the mines on
the Witwatersrand would have
00:47:34.734 --> 00:47:38.667
to close down since they could
no longer work at a profit.
00:47:51.400 --> 00:47:53.267
Over 250,000 native laborers
00:47:53.567 --> 00:47:56.443
are employed in the
industry, and all of them
00:47:56.467 --> 00:47:59.176
are safely escorted to
and from their homes
00:47:59.200 --> 00:48:01.800
by the native
recruiting corporations.
00:48:02.233 --> 00:48:03.309
Every one of them passes through
00:48:03.333 --> 00:48:05.343
the central compound
at Johannesburg,
00:48:05.367 --> 00:48:08.634
certified as being medically
fit for their work.
00:48:41.300 --> 00:48:42.409
To be found fit for work
00:48:42.433 --> 00:48:46.033
was not the only reason for
the medical examinations.
00:48:46.467 --> 00:48:50.142
The medical system of the
mines was designed to sift out
00:48:50.166 --> 00:48:53.299
returning miners who
they had already made ill
00:48:53.567 --> 00:48:55.700
with silicosis and tuberculosis.
00:48:57.667 --> 00:48:59.676
Special care should be
taken in the examination
00:48:59.700 --> 00:49:03.100
of natives with long
underground mining histories.
00:49:04.000 --> 00:49:05.910
Natives known to
have been repatriated
00:49:05.934 --> 00:49:07.910
as tubercula or as
having silicosis
00:49:07.934 --> 00:49:11.334
should under no circumstances
be sent to the Rand.
00:50:17.367 --> 00:50:18.142
When it is a matter
00:50:18.166 --> 00:50:21.433
of the examination of 150
to 200 boys at a time,
00:50:23.233 --> 00:50:24.543
it is very difficult to keep up
00:50:24.567 --> 00:50:26.900
one\'s concentration
to the finish.
00:50:26.934 --> 00:50:29.934
As a mine medical
officer, the difficulty is
00:50:30.133 --> 00:50:33.309
that one looks at the matter
as if one is purchasing
00:50:33.333 --> 00:50:36.866
certain labor, and if it
is not up to specification,
00:50:37.867 --> 00:50:40.400
the tendency is to
fire it out again.
00:51:20.600 --> 00:51:21.776
Here is a story of how one man
00:51:21.800 --> 00:51:25.000
found a secure job in
the gold mining industry.
00:51:25.200 --> 00:51:26.876
He was given a
medical examination
00:51:26.900 --> 00:51:29.900
to make sure that his
basic health was good,
00:51:30.533 --> 00:51:33.333
and he was issued with
his work clothing.
00:51:40.467 --> 00:51:43.776
The next job was to get him
settled into the hostel.
00:51:43.800 --> 00:51:46.443
His tribal representative
took him to a room
00:51:46.467 --> 00:51:48.109
where there were
people of his own tribe
00:51:48.133 --> 00:51:50.666
and from his own
part of the country.
00:51:51.967 --> 00:51:55.100
In the Native Laws
Commission of Inquiry, 1947
00:51:56.367 --> 00:52:00.034
we find a statement, number
five, the compound system.
00:52:03.767 --> 00:52:06.343
It is the opinion of the
gold producers\' committee
00:52:06.367 --> 00:52:09.543
that the compound system is
a healthy means of housing
00:52:09.567 --> 00:52:12.567
and feeding large bodies
of native laborers.
00:52:28.867 --> 00:52:29.943
At weekends, there\'s food
00:52:29.967 --> 00:52:32.142
and free phenom shows,
but best of all,
00:52:32.166 --> 00:52:35.099
twice a week, you get
a free issue of beer.
00:52:35.433 --> 00:52:36.710
So all the money you
earn, you can put
00:52:36.734 --> 00:52:40.201
straight into your pocket
to do what you like with.
00:54:23.500 --> 00:54:25.033
Sir Ernest Oppenheimer,
00:54:25.533 --> 00:54:28.266
mining magnate and
member of Parliament.
00:54:29.967 --> 00:54:31.309
We have done a great deal
00:54:31.333 --> 00:54:34.400
and intend to do more
to prevent the disease.
00:54:35.333 --> 00:54:39.000
I think our efforts have met
with considerable success
00:54:39.266 --> 00:54:40.576
and even, if it cannot be said,
00:54:40.600 --> 00:54:44.133
that the contraction of
phthisis has been prevented.
00:54:45.166 --> 00:54:47.242
We can claim that we
have succeeded in making
00:54:47.266 --> 00:54:50.533
the working life of a
miner considerably longer.
00:57:55.367 --> 00:57:56.943
The gold mines of South Africa
00:57:56.967 --> 00:57:59.376
have brought to the
surface more gold
00:57:59.400 --> 00:58:02.000
than man has known
in all his history.
00:58:03.900 --> 00:58:06.109
Just think of all
the gold being poured
00:58:06.133 --> 00:58:08.000
and everything we owe to it.
00:58:15.834 --> 00:58:18.967
The Johannesburg Stock
Exchange, for instance.
00:58:23.934 --> 00:58:24.934
500!
00:58:46.166 --> 00:58:49.099
Shares, thousands upon
thousands of shares,
00:58:50.033 --> 00:58:51.609
changing hands each
day in a market
00:58:51.633 --> 00:58:55.700
which has long been
the barometer of
South African economy.
00:59:14.700 --> 00:59:16.633
Goodness me, how money talks.
00:59:40.467 --> 00:59:43.000
Here, the shareholders
of the nation,
00:59:43.367 --> 00:59:46.034
the people of South
Africa, you and me.
00:59:48.333 --> 00:59:51.933
For industry, commerce,
trade, call it what you will,
00:59:52.200 --> 00:59:55.267
lives and prospers
through the shares we buy.
00:59:55.900 --> 00:59:58.433
And it is this money,
yours and mine,
00:59:58.800 --> 01:00:01.467
that helps to make
the wheels go round.
01:00:06.667 --> 01:00:07.976
But those of us who have
01:00:08.000 --> 01:00:10.000
no shares, where do we fit in?
01:00:11.633 --> 01:00:13.543
With our pension funds
and mortgage bonds,
01:00:13.567 --> 01:00:16.100
insurances, medical
aid, and savings,
01:00:18.000 --> 01:00:20.267
funds, part of
which are invested
01:00:20.433 --> 01:00:22.966
on the Stock Exchange,
and so make us
01:00:23.133 --> 01:00:26.333
indirectly shareholders
in the nation\'s wealth.
01:00:30.066 --> 01:00:32.466
And what a wealth
we have to share.
01:03:31.633 --> 01:03:33.033
I can say every time,
01:03:36.367 --> 01:03:39.434
every time when you come
home, we feel happy.
01:03:42.133 --> 01:03:44.200
Everything we need, he give us.
01:03:46.667 --> 01:03:50.200
And he see everything, he
want to do it in our home.
01:03:50.800 --> 01:03:53.733
He do the time, just
a small space of time,
01:03:56.100 --> 01:03:57.500
and then you go back.
01:05:01.100 --> 01:05:04.367
Look at the distance from
my room to the toilet.
01:05:49.000 --> 01:05:50.200
It\'s so difficult.
01:07:41.433 --> 01:07:42.543
Our shaft-sinkers break
01:07:42.567 --> 01:07:44.634
world records in shaft-sinking.
01:07:45.333 --> 01:07:46.009
How?
01:07:46.033 --> 01:07:48.833
By going in very
quickly after the blast,
01:07:49.066 --> 01:07:50.733
by cleaning very quickly.
01:07:51.233 --> 01:07:53.176
These shaft-sinkers
earn very high salaries
01:07:53.200 --> 01:07:57.200
over a very short working life,
and after 10, 12, 15 years,
01:07:59.467 --> 01:08:02.910
they often end up with second
or third-stage pneumoconiosis
01:08:02.934 --> 01:08:05.001
because they break regulations,
01:08:05.300 --> 01:08:07.176
because we, the mining industry,
01:08:07.200 --> 01:08:10.333
make it worth their while
to break regulations
01:08:10.467 --> 01:08:13.134
and damage their
health in the process.
01:16:25.600 --> 01:16:26.376
Spectacular dances,
01:16:26.400 --> 01:16:29.142
suggestive of the rhythmic
beat of the industry,
01:16:29.166 --> 01:16:31.566
wind out the week
in the compounds.
01:24:02.467 --> 01:24:05.734
When its extent in terms
of duration, intensity,
01:24:06.100 --> 01:24:08.900
and magnitude are all
taken into account,
01:24:09.834 --> 01:24:12.009
the South African
gold mining industry\'s
01:24:12.033 --> 01:24:14.433
silicosis and
tuberculosis epidemic
01:24:15.400 --> 01:24:17.933
is without parallel
in human history.
01:24:55.400 --> 01:24:56.400
Regulation 61.
01:24:58.166 --> 01:25:00.776
It is absolutely
prohibited for any person
01:25:00.800 --> 01:25:03.710
working or remaining in
any place in the mine
01:25:03.734 --> 01:25:05.576
if the air contains dust, smoke,
01:25:05.600 --> 01:25:09.267
or fumes perceptible by
sight, smell, or other senses.
01:25:11.333 --> 01:25:13.600
The fundamentals
of this 1903 law
01:25:14.200 --> 01:25:15.867
are still enforced today.
01:25:16.667 --> 01:25:18.534
However, over the 120 years,
01:25:19.834 --> 01:25:21.967
not a single gold mining company
01:25:22.000 --> 01:25:24.467
has been prosecuted
for breaking it.
01:25:33.967 --> 01:25:35.300
15th February, 1919.
01:25:36.600 --> 01:25:38.933
Sir, repatriation
of sick natives.
01:25:40.867 --> 01:25:42.910
I have the honor to inform
you that native P.P--
01:25:42.934 --> 01:25:45.734
Dear sir, mortality
amongst mine natives.
01:25:48.667 --> 01:25:50.576
In August last, the attention
01:25:50.600 --> 01:25:54.067
of the Transvaal Mine
Medical Officers\' Association
01:25:54.800 --> 01:25:57.276
was drawn to the
increasing mortality
01:25:57.300 --> 01:26:00.109
amongst the natives
employed on the mines.
01:26:00.133 --> 01:26:01.400
25th of July, 1923.
01:26:02.300 --> 01:26:05.833
Dear sir, natives suffering
from pulmonary diseases.
01:26:07.967 --> 01:26:10.076
The following native
will be repatriated
01:26:10.100 --> 01:26:11.833
on the 26th of July, 1923.
01:26:13.400 --> 01:26:15.200
Contract number, voluntary,
01:26:15.367 --> 01:26:18.167
mine, Grand Mines,
passport number, 221--
01:30:34.867 --> 01:30:37.000
Despite the widespread incidence
01:30:37.033 --> 01:30:39.033
of occupational lung diseases,
01:30:39.166 --> 01:30:42.009
until today, the mining
industry and the state
01:30:42.033 --> 01:30:45.833
have failed to ensure that
miners get just compensation.
01:31:30.767 --> 01:31:34.634
We can now see the template
for the South African economy
01:31:34.700 --> 01:31:36.633
that was laid down by mining.
01:31:37.400 --> 01:31:41.400
This legacy endures in the
present and continues to produce
01:31:41.567 --> 01:31:44.034
vast inequality,
illness, and death.
01:31:55.967 --> 01:31:59.167
As shocking as the records
of the archives are,
01:31:59.633 --> 01:32:02.042
it would be too easy
to only point fingers
01:32:02.066 --> 01:32:05.799
at the mining companies and
the state because all of us
01:32:06.834 --> 01:32:09.834
who benefit from this
economy are complicit.
01:35:26.166 --> 01:35:27.299
♪ We are miners ♪
01:35:30.400 --> 01:35:31.733
♪ Hard rock miners ♪
01:35:34.934 --> 01:35:36.401
♪ To the shaft house ♪
01:35:38.333 --> 01:35:39.333
♪ We must go ♪
01:35:42.934 --> 01:35:44.334
♪ Pour your bottles ♪
01:35:47.200 --> 01:35:48.533
♪ On our shoulders ♪
01:35:51.834 --> 01:35:53.101
♪ We are marching ♪
01:35:55.033 --> 01:35:56.100
♪ To the slope ♪
01:36:00.533 --> 01:36:01.933
♪ On the line, boys ♪
01:36:04.133 --> 01:36:05.533
♪ On the line, boys ♪
01:36:07.900 --> 01:36:09.233
♪ Drill your holes ♪
01:36:10.333 --> 01:36:11.733
♪ And stand in line ♪
01:36:16.033 --> 01:36:17.566
♪ \'Til the shift boss ♪
01:36:18.967 --> 01:36:20.367
♪ Comes to tell you ♪
01:36:22.066 --> 01:36:23.266
♪ You must drill ♪
01:36:25.033 --> 01:36:26.233
♪ Her out on top ♪
01:36:30.734 --> 01:36:32.867
♪ Can\'t you feel the rock dust ♪
01:36:35.066 --> 01:36:36.199
♪ In your lungs ♪
01:36:37.800 --> 01:36:39.533
♪ It\'ll cut down a miner ♪
01:36:41.033 --> 01:36:42.766
♪ When he is still young ♪
01:36:44.633 --> 01:36:46.700
♪ Two years and the silicosis ♪
01:36:49.433 --> 01:36:50.433
♪ Takes hold ♪
01:36:52.233 --> 01:36:54.166
♪ And I feel like I\'m dying ♪
01:36:55.900 --> 01:36:57.500
♪ From mining for gold ♪
01:37:01.567 --> 01:37:03.567
♪ Yes, I feel like I\'m dying ♪
01:37:05.233 --> 01:37:06.833
♪ From mining for gold ♪
Distributor: Icarus Films
Length: 98 minutes
Date: 2019
Genre: Expository
Language: English / English subtitles
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
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