In a solemn tribute to the fallen, Impala Platinum has released the names of the 13 miners who tragically lost their lives in the shaft disaster that shook Rustenburg. The harrowing incident, which occurred on November 27, has left a lingering sense of grief and sorrow in its wake, resonating not just within South Africa, but echoing across the global mining community.
The devastating toll of the accident was further compounded when another miner succumbed to their injuries on December 4, pushing the death toll to 13. At present, fifty of the affected miners remain hospitalized, with eight in a critical condition. The impact of this tragedy reverberates especially strongly in the Eastern Cape, where eight of the deceased miners called home. These men, who dedicated themselves to their labor within the depths of the earth, had been steadfast fixtures within the company for many years, their commitment woven into the fabric of the organization.
Among the revered departed are Khayalethu Joel Bhekamane, aged 41, Vuyane Dangazele, aged 45, Mcingeni Dlabone, aged 42, Mncedisi Hukwana, aged 48, Eric Fanisile Libad, aged 48, Morena Mohlomi, aged 33, Petrus Nare, aged 44, Mandisi Nkulwana, aged 44, Zwelethu Nomsuka, aged 43, Raselebedi Elias Ntoi, aged 40, Siyabulela Nzume, aged 53, Lethola Qebe, aged 59, and Marumo Shasha, aged 51.
As the world mourns this incalculable loss, it is a moment to pay homage to the lives, the stories, and the legacies left behind. The names etched in our memories stand as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of livelihood and the irreplaceable value of each and every soul that graced the depths of the earth in search of sustenance.
