THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Zolisa Jejana Go Go Zolisa Jejana, 56, was diagnosed with Pulmonary tuberculosis after he had left his job on the gold mines. He was retrenched in 1989 due to his participation in a three-day strike where 59 miners stayed underground for three days. At the time they were earning R1000 a month (approx. £50) and were demanding a wage increase. All 59 miners were retrenched. Mr Jejana received no compensation for his illness and now tries to pick up casual work as a bricklayer. With the small amount of work he can get he needs to support his wife and 6 children. Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam

THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Zamukulungisa Dyanti Go Go Zamukulungisa Dyanti lives with his wife and 6 children in Lower Seplan in the Cala district of the Eastern Cape. We arrived at his house just as it was getting dark and his son had to move the one light bulb that they owned from room to room in order for us to be able to see what we were doing. He worked as a winch operator at several different mines including Free State Geduld, Western Deep Levels, President Brand and President Steyn. He was diagnosed with silicosis in 1993 and received no compensation for his illness. Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam

THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Dyamara Jibhana Go Go Dyamara Jibhana lives in Whittlesea, Eastern Cape with his brother. He worked on the mines for 39 years and received no compensation when he was diagnosed with silicosis and sent home. He worked at Beatrix Gold Mine in the Witwatersrand Basin in Johannesburg until 2008. He is now 65 years old and waiting to hear whether he will receive some money to help him live with his condition. Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam

THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Agrippa Dlisani Go Go Agrippa Dlisani, 60 years old, was a loader and sweeper at Bracken Gold Mine. He went to find work at the mines because his father passed away and he became responsible for supporting his mother and brothers. He spent six months in the mine hospital with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB of the lungs) in 1983 and was retrenched in 1989. He now washes cars in Butterworth for R50 a day (approx. £2.40 or $3.60). Mr Dlisani’s hope is that they win the case against the gold mines so that he can get enough money to pay for further education for his children. Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam

THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Malepa Puso Go Go Malepa Puso is 62 years old and lives in Welkom in the Free State. He lives with his wife, Mantwa and their four children in the house that he bought from the mines after it closed. He worked at Free State Geduld mine for 24 years and worked his way up from being a winch driver to a supervisor. He has 1st degree silicosis and received R30 000 in compensation. He now works as a gardener at the local school. Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam

THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Noebejara Tau Go Go Noebejara Tau is 70 years old and lives in Mafeteng, Lesotho. He worked on the mines between 1972 and 2000 as a loader driver. He was diagnosed with silicosis and retrenched. Although he did receive a small amount of compensation, he now has to depend on subsistence farming and bartering with his neighbours in order to acquire the food he needs to feed himself and his wife. Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam

THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Patrick Sitwayi Go Go Patrick Sitwayi lives in Upper Mcambalala with his wife, five children and three grand children. He is 57 years old and has silicosis from working underground in the gold mines for 22 years. He did not receive any compensation for his illness and is unable to support his family without a job. He has to walk with crutches because his toes became infected and were amputated. He says that this is because of the primitive safety equipment and hot working conditions on the mines, causing excess sweating that collected in his plastic gumboots. Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam

THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Matela Hlabathe Go Go Matela Hlabathe had tuberculosis three times while working on the mines. Each time they treated him, but they didn’t move him, he continued to stay in the hostel. After 36 years working underground he took a retrenchment package and now lives off a government pension of R1 410 per month. He has pulmonary tuberculosis (TB of the lungs) and received R39 000 compensation from the mine. Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam

THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Xolisile Butu Go Go Xolisile Butu is 60 years old and lives in Skhobeni in the Eastern Cape with his 86 year old mother Adelaide. His wife works in Komani and earns the money for the household - she only comes home once a month. Mr Butu was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB of the lungs) in 1992 after working on the mines for 7 years. He received R1000 (approx. £50 or $72) in compensation. Mr Butu recalls what he calls “the problems between Xhosas and Zulus” on the mines. The fights got so bad that the police would be called and would break them up using teargas. After a while they started to live in separate dorm rooms. Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam

THE PRICE OF GOLD In May 2016 the high court in Johannesburg decided that a class action lawsuit could be laid against 32 gold mining companies in South Africa. Three law firms represented a group of miners who were applying for this class action certification on behalf of all miners suffering from silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis as a result of working in the gold mines. ​ Silicosis is a preventable but incurable lung disease that is contracted in the gold mines through inadequate protection from silica dust. Miners who contract silicosis get tired and out of breath quickly. They are prone to lung infections, respiratory failure and TB. ​ Over a period of 20 days in September and October 2015, Thom Pierce traveled around South Africa's Eastern Cape, into Lesotho and up to Johannesburg to find and photograph the 56 miners and widows named in the court documents. ​ This project was commissioned by the TAC, Sonke Gender Justice and Section 27; and generously funded by Heinrich Böll Stiftung. Myekelwa Mkenyane Go Go Myekelwa Mkenyane was 18 when he started working in the gold mines. He worked for 35 years and was discharged in 2009 when he was diagnosed with silicosis. He received R36 000 in compensation (approx. £1,700 or $2,580) but has not been able to work since. “It was very hard to leave my family behind but, because I wanted to support them financially I had no choice but to be away for so long…When there was blasting underground, I cannot forget it. I still remember the dust from the explosions. That is what makes me sick today.” Next Item Previous Item Zimoshile Bozo Zamukulungisa Dyanti Agrippa Dlisani Siqhamo Hoyi Luduko Enoch Madindala Zolisa Jejana Patrick Sitwayi Leseli Kompi Sekhobe Letsie Mthuthuzeli Mtshange Makatleho Selibo Dyamara Jibhana Zwelakhe Dala Mncedisi Dlisani Matsekelo Masupha Noebejara Tau Monde Mxesibe Toulang Mako Bongani Nkala Masiko Somi Zama Gangi Nanabezi Mgoduswa Xolisile Butu Matona Mabea Siporono Phahlam