In Stilfontein, South Africa, illegal gold miners known as 'zama-zamas' are trapped underground in a standoff with police, who have blocked their food supplies to force them out. The miners, fearing arrest and deportation, are in dire conditions, surviving on makeshift food. Rights groups have intervened, and a rescue mission is underway. The situation highlights the broader issue of illegal mining in South Africa, driven by economic desperation and controlled by criminal syndicates. The government faces criticism for its handling of the crisis, with calls for regulation of small-scale mining to prevent exploitation.

In Stilfontein, South Africa, illegal gold miners known as 'zama-zamas' are trapped in a standoff with police, who have blocked their food supplies to force them out. The miners, many of whom are migrants fearing arrest and deportation, are surviving in dire conditions underground. Rights groups have intervened, and a court has ordered police to allow food and supplies to reach the miners. The government is planning a rescue mission, but delays have drawn criticism. The situation highlights the broader issue of illegal mining in South Africa, with calls for regulation to prevent exploitation by criminal syndicates.

In Stilfontein, South Africa, illegal gold miners known as 'zama-zamas' are trapped underground in a standoff with police, who have blocked their food supplies to force them out. The miners, many of whom are migrants fearing arrest and deportation, are in dire conditions, surviving on toothpaste and toilet paper. Rights groups have intervened, and a court has ordered police to allow food and supplies to reach the miners. The government is planning a rescue mission, but delays have drawn criticism. The situation highlights the broader issue of illegal mining in South Africa, driven by poverty and unemployment, and the exploitation of miners by criminal syndicates. President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended the police's actions, citing the economic and social costs of illegal mining.

In Stilfontein, South Africa, illegal gold miners known as 'zama-zamas' are trapped underground in a standoff with police, who have blocked their food supplies to force them out. The miners, fearing arrest and deportation, are in dire conditions, surviving on makeshift food. Rights groups have intervened, and a court has ordered police to allow food deliveries. The government plans a rescue mission, but delays have drawn criticism. The situation highlights the broader issue of illegal mining in South Africa, driven by economic desperation and controlled by criminal syndicates. President Cyril Ramaphosa supports police actions, citing crime concerns, while community leaders emphasize the economic contributions of zama-zamas.

In Stilfontein, South Africa, illegal gold miners known as 'zama-zamas' are trapped underground in a standoff with police, who have blocked their food supplies to force them out. The miners, fearing arrest and deportation, are in dire conditions, surviving on makeshift food. Rights groups have intervened, and a court has ordered police to allow food deliveries. The government plans a rescue mission, but delays have drawn criticism. The situation underscores the broader issue of illegal mining in South Africa, driven by poverty and exploitation, with calls for regulation to protect miners from criminal syndicates.

In Stilfontein, South Africa, hundreds of illegal gold miners, known as zama-zamas, are trapped underground in a standoff with police who have blocked their food supplies. The miners, fearing arrest and deportation, are in dire conditions, surviving on makeshift food. Rights groups have intervened, and a court has ordered police to allow food and supplies to reach the miners. The government is planning a rescue mission, but delays have raised concerns about the miners' safety. The situation highlights the broader issue of illegal mining in South Africa, with calls for regulation to protect miners from exploitation by criminal syndicates.

In South Africa, police are engaged in a prolonged standoff with illegal miners, known as zama zamas, at an abandoned gold mine near Johannesburg. The government has pledged to crack down on illegal mining, which is seen as a symptom of economic desperation. The police operation, aimed at arresting the miners, has faced criticism from human rights groups for cutting off food and water supplies. Many zama zamas are migrants from neighboring countries, fearing deportation. While the miners work under dire conditions, they are often linked to criminal syndicates profiting from illegal mining. Public sympathy is limited, with calls for authorities to target the criminal leaders rather than the impoverished miners.

South Africa's upcoming national elections on May 29 will be a critical test for democracy, particularly for the 'born frees,' a generation that never experienced apartheid. The African National Congress (ANC), which has been in power since the end of apartheid, faces the possibility of receiving less than 50% of the vote due to corruption scandals and high youth unemployment. Tess Dooms from Rivonia Circle notes the disillusionment among young people with democracy itself. While some born frees, like Tshepiso Mpele, refuse to vote as a form of protest, others like Unanthi Mzileni and Cameron Smith are considering voting, despite the unfulfilled promises of democracy. The election will be a chance for this generation to potentially change South Africa's course.

South Africa's upcoming national elections on May 29 could see significant influence from the 'born frees,' a generation that grew up post-apartheid. Despite the historic transition to democracy and Nelson Mandela's presidency, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) faces disillusionment due to corruption, service delivery failures, and high youth unemployment. Opinion polls suggest the ANC may fall below 50% for the first time, potentially leading to a coalition government. Young South Africans express mixed feelings about voting, with some viewing it as an endorsement of corruption and others considering participation to realize the dream of democracy. The election will test whether this generation will turn out to vote and possibly alter the country's political trajectory.

South Africa's upcoming national elections on May 29 could see significant influence from the 'born frees,' a generation born after apartheid. Despite the African National Congress (ANC) being in power for three decades, many young South Africans are disillusioned with democracy due to high unemployment, inequality, and corruption. While some young voters like Tshepiso Mpele view voting as an endorsement of corruption, others like Unanthi Mzileni and Cameron Smith are considering participating to effect change. The election will test the potential impact of this generation on South Africa's political landscape.