The Deadly Quest for Gold in South Africa
Shortlisted at One World Media, this haunting documentary takes you down Shaft 11 during the Stilfontein disaster that claimed 93 lives.
Synopsis
In 2024, a government crackdown on illegal mining turned deadly in the South African town of Stilfontein. Hundreds of miners were trapped underground for months, leaving at least 93 dead. That’s more than double the number of victims at Marikana. With first-hand accounts from two survivors, Bloomberg reconstructs what went wrong.
Accolades
Short Documentary Award shortlist, One World Media
“A superb and heartbreaking watch.”
Jennifer Zabasaija, Bloomberg TV chief Africa correspondent
South Africa | 2025 | 38 min
Did you know?
According to the documentary, Mandla Charles escaped Shaft 11 by hiking underground to another shaft. He was one of 19 people, weakened by hunger, who tried to climb the 1.7km to the surface. It took three days. Five made it.
He then campaigned for the evacuation of the remaining trapped miners, and, when the police declined to go down because of safety concerns, he volunteered to descend and help the evacuation.
There’s no director credited. The team included South African reporter S’thembile Cele, field producer Leon Sadiki and producers Leila Hussain, Gloria Kurnik, and Gloria Cheung.
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