Suicide Among Former Mineworkers in the Sub Region of Transkei, South Africa: Case Reports

Abstract

Transkei is one of the former black homelands in South Africa where the majority of the population is impoverished and dependent upon either income of migrant mineworkers or subsistence farming at home with a few heads of cattle and sheep. Transkei has supplied its fair share of the country's labor force and leaders, but has received little recognition for its efforts. Three former mineworkers and children of two other families had committed suicide. This article presents their histories as obtained by interviewing their relatives. The common underlying causes have been identified and are discussed here. Among them financial difficulties are featured prominently in all the cases. The burden of a family and lack of self-esteem, probably were contributory to their suicidal state. Alcoholism is associated with some. All the victims were either unemployed or inadequately employed. The authors have analyzed the cases and have tried to ascertain the underlying causes of their deaths.