The hustle lifeways of Black women in mining-affected communities of South Africa

Abstract

This study sets out to investigate the lived experiences of Black women living in South African communities affected by mining, specifically exploring how they navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by large-scale resource extraction. To do so, the study introduces the concept of “hustle lifeways”. In the context of mining-affected communities, this term captures how small-scale, often informal, income-generating activities are embodied in Black women's experiences of large-scale mining. Data is collected through a three-months fieldwork period across six mining-affected communities located in different provinces of South Africa. Thematic analysis highlights three key dimensions of hustle lifeways, namely survival, autonomy and caregiving responsibilities. The analysis of these three themes evidences Black women's resourcefulness, while underscoring the numerous challenges posed to them by large-scale mining, particularly in terms of exclusion, heightened uncertainty and increased care work. The insights from this analysis contribute to the literature on mining and women in South Africa, which has predominantly focused on women employed in the sector, by offering a new perspective on the gendered dimensions of large-scale mining.