Mr. Mahaba

Mr. Mahaba

Mr. Mahaba is a Basotho man who lives in an infor­mal set­tle­ment out­side of Car­letonville, South Africa.  He was released from the mines due to TB and HIV in 2008 with no means for treat­ment after release.  With a view of the mine­shaft from the steps of his dwelling, his wife stormed the mine and demanded that the mine give her hus­band proper med­ica­tion.  She was given a week’s worth of med­ica­tion and a por­ridge that she was told to pre­pare for him every day.  His son, a 29 year old man liv­ing in the same set­tle­ment, was promised that he could have his father’s job now that his father has been released.  Know­ing the health effects and dan­gers of the mine all too well, Mr. Mahaba is still eager for his son to begin work so that he will be able to sup­port the family.