When tragedy strikes, a nation’s true character is put to the test. For the families of the Lily Mine Three – Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi, and Solomon Nyirenda – who lost their lives in 2016 when a container they were working in got swallowed in an implosion – the pain is unending. Their fight for justice, dignity, and recognition is a stark reminder of the glaring inequalities and systemic failures in South Africa’s mining sector and society at large.
As leader of ActionSA, I feel compelled to share our journey with these bereaved families – from the moment we began standing shoulder to shoulder with them, to where we aim to bring this painful chapter, a just and meaningful close.
Where our journey began
The Lily Mine tragedy was not just an isolated incident. It was emblematic of a broader malaise that afflicts our country – a failure to protect vulnerable workers – compounded by corporate negligence and governmental indiferrence. When the news first broke, the families of the three miners were overwhelmed by grief, confusion, and a sense of abandonment. Little did they know that they would face massive bureaucratic obstacles, legal hurdles, and a public that quickly moved on, thanks to a fast-moving news cycle, and left them behind. It began as a profoundly lonely struggle and remains largely so, as I write this.
ActionSA entered the fray when we recognised that these families needed more than sympathy. They needed a champion. We began by listening, truly listening, to their stories, their hopes, fears, and frustrations. We climbed their hills in order to see the world from their respective perspectives, without judging them. It soon dawned on us that these were no longer just victims; they were fighters seeking to reclaim their dignity and to demand accountability.
Our first step was to bring their plight into the public conversation even at the risk of being accused – as some still do today – of politicising their story. Media coverage was sporadic and often shallow. Through our platforms, engagements, and advocacy, we shone a light on the human cost behind mining accidents and the persistent injustices that South Africa’s workers often endure. We held community meetings, lobbied local and national governments, and partnered with legal experts to explore avenues of justice. This has been – and continues to be – a journey driven by empathy, hunger for justice, and the restless pursuit of a just closure for the families.
The Road travelled thus far: fighting for accountability and justice
Raising public awareness was just the beginning. For any true sense of justice to be realised, systemic change is essential. As ActionSA, we pushed for a thorough investigation into the mining company’s safety practices, regulatory enforcement, and the role of oversight bodies, particularly the National Department of Mineral Resouces & Energy, that failed to prevent the tragedy.
Along the way, we faced resistance – from corporate interests wary of scrutiny, from political quarters hesitant to confront entrenched mining lobbies and, sometimes, from a system so mired in bureacracy that progress has been painstakingly slow. Yet, the bereaved families remained resolute, camping in an area just outside the entrance to Lily Mine. We conontinue to walk the journey with them despite incomprehensible accusations of trying to politicise their pain which, in fact, has long become a political matter, not because we turned it into one but because it is being handled as one by those who hold the power. We’re determined to see this change.
We also recognised early in the process that for the affected families, justice was not just legal; it had a social and economic dimension. The families needed more than compensation; they needed sustainable support. ActionSA worked to establish a comprehensive support structure; counseling services, educational bursaries for the children, skills development programs for the dependents, and community empowerment initiatives close to the mining communities. We aimed to transform grief into opportunity, and pain into empowerment.
This historic approach distinguished our journey and brought a lot of valuable lessons, even for me. It underscored a simple truth – that those who suffer catastrophic loss deserve the full spectrum of justice: accountability for wrongdoing, reparations for the material harm, and investment in the future of the survivors, especially the elderly and young children who dependent for sustenance on those who were tragically taken away.
Where we are
No journey towards justice is straightforward, especially in cases like that of the Lily Mine Three where multiple complex forces remain at play. There were legal battles, interminable negotiations, and moment of deep frustration. There have also been moments of threats of near violence when, on our visit to commemorate the 9th anniversary of this tragedy, in February 2025, faceless people were organised, and clearly paid, to block the 3-4km route leading to the mine entrance with large rocks and burning tree logs, in a clear attempt to stop us from accessing the site. They failed.
At times, the families experienced setbacks – compensation offers that were insufficient, promises that were delayed or were never delivered upon, and the gnawing uncertainty about the future. Throughout, ActionSA stayed commited to them. We refused to let bureacracy or political expediency dilute their demands.
All of this taught us about broader systemic issues in South Africa – about how the rule of law can be undermined when corporate interests override human rights; about how vulnerable communities are often left to fight alone; and how political will is often absent when it comes to confrontng powerful commercial interests.
It reinforced our conviction that ActionSA’s role is not only to represent these bereaved families but to advcate for wider reforms in mining regulation, corporate accountability, and social safety nets. Only then can tragedies like Lily Mine be effectively prevented in the future.
The endgame to all of this must be justice, healing and a positive legacy.
I often wonder; what does justice mean for the families of Pretty Yende, Solomon Nyiredza, and Yvonne Mnisi? It is not merely about financial compensation, even though that is a vital component. It is about recognition that their loved ones mattered; that the system failed them, and that certain people must be held to account; and that their subsequent struggles will not be ignored.
As ActionSA, we see a threefold endgame: 1) Legal and financial justice, 2) Healing and Empowerment, and 3) Systemic reform for worker safety in South African mines and similar places.
ActionSA’s journey with the Lily Mine Three bereaved families has been both heartwrenging and inspiring. It started with a tragedy, but it has evolved into a testament to the resilience of South Africans committed to justice and dignity for all. We have learned that standing with the bereaved is about more than sympathy – it is about action, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity. No doubt, the path has been fraught with challenges and continues to be, but the families’ courage against all odds fuels our determination.
As a country, we must embrace the lessons of the Lily Mine tragedy to build a more equitable, safe, and just society. ActionSA will remain at the forefront of that fight, with the Lily Mine Three’s families as a powerful symbol of what we must achieve together. Their story is a call to action for justice, for healing, and for a future where every worker’s life is valued and protected. We do this not just in memory of those lost, but in honour of the living left behind.
From Loss to Expected Justice: ActionSA’s Journey with the Bereaved Families of the Lily Mine Three
When tragedy strikes, a nation’s true character is put to the test. For the families of the Lily Mine Three – Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi, and Solomon Nyirenda – who lost their lives in 2016 when a container they were working in got swallowed in an implosion – the pain is unending. Their fight for justice, dignity, and recognition is a stark reminder of the glaring inequalities and systemic failures in South Africa’s mining sector and society at large.
As leader of ActionSA, I feel compelled to share our journey with these bereaved families – from the moment we began standing shoulder to shoulder with them, to where we aim to bring this painful chapter, a just and meaningful close.
Where our journey began
The Lily Mine tragedy was not just an isolated incident. It was emblematic of a broader malaise that afflicts our country – a failure to protect vulnerable workers – compounded by corporate negligence and governmental indiferrence. When the news first broke, the families of the three miners were overwhelmed by grief, confusion, and a sense of abandonment. Little did they know that they would face massive bureaucratic obstacles, legal hurdles, and a public that quickly moved on, thanks to a fast-moving news cycle, and left them behind. It began as a profoundly lonely struggle and remains largely so, as I write this.
ActionSA entered the fray when we recognised that these families needed more than sympathy. They needed a champion. We began by listening, truly listening, to their stories, their hopes, fears, and frustrations. We climbed their hills in order to see the world from their respective perspectives, without judging them. It soon dawned on us that these were no longer just victims; they were fighters seeking to reclaim their dignity and to demand accountability.
Our first step was to bring their plight into the public conversation even at the risk of being accused – as some still do today – of politicising their story. Media coverage was sporadic and often shallow. Through our platforms, engagements, and advocacy, we shone a light on the human cost behind mining accidents and the persistent injustices that South Africa’s workers often endure. We held community meetings, lobbied local and national governments, and partnered with legal experts to explore avenues of justice. This has been – and continues to be – a journey driven by empathy, hunger for justice, and the restless pursuit of a just closure for the families.
The Road travelled thus far: fighting for accountability and justice
Raising public awareness was just the beginning. For any true sense of justice to be realised, systemic change is essential. As ActionSA, we pushed for a thorough investigation into the mining company’s safety practices, regulatory enforcement, and the role of oversight bodies, particularly the National Department of Mineral Resouces & Energy, that failed to prevent the tragedy.
Along the way, we faced resistance – from corporate interests wary of scrutiny, from political quarters hesitant to confront entrenched mining lobbies and, sometimes, from a system so mired in bureacracy that progress has been painstakingly slow. Yet, the bereaved families remained resolute, camping in an area just outside the entrance to Lily Mine. We conontinue to walk the journey with them despite incomprehensible accusations of trying to politicise their pain which, in fact, has long become a political matter, not because we turned it into one but because it is being handled as one by those who hold the power. We’re determined to see this change.
We also recognised early in the process that for the affected families, justice was not just legal; it had a social and economic dimension. The families needed more than compensation; they needed sustainable support. ActionSA worked to establish a comprehensive support structure; counseling services, educational bursaries for the children, skills development programs for the dependents, and community empowerment initiatives close to the mining communities. We aimed to transform grief into opportunity, and pain into empowerment.
This historic approach distinguished our journey and brought a lot of valuable lessons, even for me. It underscored a simple truth – that those who suffer catastrophic loss deserve the full spectrum of justice: accountability for wrongdoing, reparations for the material harm, and investment in the future of the survivors, especially the elderly and young children who dependent for sustenance on those who were tragically taken away.
Where we are
No journey towards justice is straightforward, especially in cases like that of the Lily Mine Three where multiple complex forces remain at play. There were legal battles, interminable negotiations, and moment of deep frustration. There have also been moments of threats of near violence when, on our visit to commemorate the 9th anniversary of this tragedy, in February 2025, faceless people were organised, and clearly paid, to block the 3-4km route leading to the mine entrance with large rocks and burning tree logs, in a clear attempt to stop us from accessing the site. They failed.
At times, the families experienced setbacks – compensation offers that were insufficient, promises that were delayed or were never delivered upon, and the gnawing uncertainty about the future. Throughout, ActionSA stayed commited to them. We refused to let bureacracy or political expediency dilute their demands.
All of this taught us about broader systemic issues in South Africa – about how the rule of law can be undermined when corporate interests override human rights; about how vulnerable communities are often left to fight alone; and how political will is often absent when it comes to confrontng powerful commercial interests.
It reinforced our conviction that ActionSA’s role is not only to represent these bereaved families but to advcate for wider reforms in mining regulation, corporate accountability, and social safety nets. Only then can tragedies like Lily Mine be effectively prevented in the future.
The endgame to all of this must be justice, healing and a positive legacy.
I often wonder; what does justice mean for the families of Pretty Yende, Solomon Nyiredza, and Yvonne Mnisi? It is not merely about financial compensation, even though that is a vital component. It is about recognition that their loved ones mattered; that the system failed them, and that certain people must be held to account; and that their subsequent struggles will not be ignored.
As ActionSA, we see a threefold endgame: 1) Legal and financial justice, 2) Healing and Empowerment, and 3) Systemic reform for worker safety in South African mines and similar places.
ActionSA’s journey with the Lily Mine Three bereaved families has been both heartwrenging and inspiring. It started with a tragedy, but it has evolved into a testament to the resilience of South Africans committed to justice and dignity for all. We have learned that standing with the bereaved is about more than sympathy – it is about action, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity. No doubt, the path has been fraught with challenges and continues to be, but the families’ courage against all odds fuels our determination.
As a country, we must embrace the lessons of the Lily Mine tragedy to build a more equitable, safe, and just society. ActionSA will remain at the forefront of that fight, with the Lily Mine Three’s families as a powerful symbol of what we must achieve together. Their story is a call to action for justice, for healing, and for a future where every worker’s life is valued and protected. We do this not just in memory of those lost, but in honour of the living left behind.