Thursday 7 May 2026 WHO ARE THE ILLIGAL MINERS? Does Africa belong to the African people?
Thursday 7 May 2026
WHO ARE THE ILLIGAL MINERS?
Does Africa belong to the African people?
Africa's mining industry is a significant contributor to global production, with countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe being major producers of key minerals. The continent's vast mineral reserves, including bauxite, cobalt, diamonds, iron ore, and coal, play a crucial role in supplying global markets with essential resources.
The Psychology of Fear: How Governments Use Fear to Maintain Control:
We have all seen or heard a crisis in one way or another—an attack, a pandemic, a spike in crime. The natural response for most of us is to seek safety and stability. In times like these, we turn to leaders for direction and reassurance. But what happens when fear is not just a reaction, but a tool? Fear is a powerful motivator. It can override reason, suppress dissent, and shift public values. How does it have such a grip on us, and how do governments (democratic and authoritarian alike) use fear to influence the masses?
At the core of fear-based compliance is something deeply human: our fear of death. Terror Management Theory (TMT) posits that our awareness of mortality drives a significant portion of human behaviour. According to this theory, when we are reminded of our vulnerability, especially our death, we cling more tightly to cultural beliefs, authority figures, and societal structures that give us a sense of order.
Think about it: when people feel unsafe or threatened, they often become more nationalistic, more trusting of authority, and less tolerant of dissenting voices. Fear simplifies the world into "us vs. them," and governments can leverage that psychological state to pass policies or actions that would otherwise face resistance.
Crises—real or exaggerated—offer a unique opportunity for governments to expand control. History shows that during emergencies, societies often accept restrictions on freedom in exchange for perceived safety.
Consider this question:
In a crisis, would you be willing to give up some privacy if it meant more security? Most say yes, and that's the response governments count on.
Crises allow for:
Centralisation of authority
Suspension of civil liberties
Reframing of dissent as danger
Increased surveillance and policing powers
What is often overlooked is how difficult it can be to roll back these powers once the crisis ends.
A real-world example can be seen in the Patriot Act, which was passed swiftly after the 9/11 attacks. It significantly expanded surveillance and investigative powers for U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It lowered the threshold for wiretaps, allowed broad data collection, and introduced harsher penalties for terrorism-related offences—all in the name of national security.
But what made such sweeping changes acceptable to the public, with so little resistance? This is where Terror Management Theory offers valuable insight.
According to TMT, when people are reminded of their mortality, especially in a sudden, high-profile way like the 9/11 attacks, they seek psychological comfort in cultural worldviews and protective authority structures. In other words, people gravitate toward anything that offers stability, identity, and safety in a moment of existential fear. 9/11 didn’t just shock Americans, it reminded them, vividly and traumatically, of their own vulnerability and mortality.
Faced with the fear of death, citizens were more willing to:
Trust government institutions uncritically
Trade privacy for security
Support aggressive counterterrorism measures
View dissent or criticism as dangerous or unpatriotic
The Patriot Act framed itself as a necessary defence against an invisible, existential threat. By doing so, it activated a core psychological drive: the desire to belong to a secure, ordered system that could protect life and meaning. Even today, more than 20 years later, parts of the Patriot Act remain in place. This endurance reflects how fear-based policies can become normalised, especially when they tap into deep psychological needs, like the need to manage our fear of death.
Fear tactics can be subtle or overt, democratic or dictatorial. Recognising them is the first step in resisting manipulation.
Ask yourself:
Is a leader invoking fear more than facts?
Are liberties being restricted in the name of safety?
Is dissent being equated with disloyalty or danger?
Are crisis measures being extended indefinitely?
Fear can be a legitimate reaction. But when it's used to short-circuit critical thinking or erode rights, it becomes a form of control. Fear makes us human, but it also makes us vulnerable. By understanding how fear operates psychologically and politically, we empower ourselves to respond with awareness rather than instinct. The next time you hear a politician say, “We must act now, before it's too late,” pause and question if it is about your safety, or if it is about THEIR power.
By Drishti Sharma brainwashnewsletter.substack.com
WHO ARE THE ILLIAGAL MINERS IN SOUTH AFRICA
The illegal miners in South Africa, known as zama zamas, are primarily from neighboring countries such as Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. They are often heavily armed and heavily involved in organized crime, using explosives and setting traps for security personnel and rival miners. The illegal mining activities are interrelated with organized crime and money laundering, leading to significant losses in sales, tax revenue, and royalties. The government has implemented Operation Vala Umgodi to close access to illegal mines and force illegal miners out. Despite these efforts, illegal mining remains a significant challenge in South Africa, with thousands of illegal miners still trapped underground.
In 2025, the total revenue of South Africa's mining industry was 572 billion South African rand, around 33.2 billion U.S. dollars. This represents a minor decrease compared to the previous year, which reported a total of 576 billion South African rand, approximately 33.4 billion U.S. dollars.
South Africa is a major producer of several key mineral commodities, particularly platinum group metals.
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