Mineworkers draw line in the sand over Mupane

From its official discovery in 1998, the country’s sole gold mine has changed ownership three times. Each time, corporate executives in pressed suits have gathered with their legal armies and exchanged documents in air-conditioned offices in Toronto, Canada.

Each time, the scores of mineworkers grinding away at the pits in north-eastern Botswana have found out after the fact that the owners have changed. The country’s laws do not compel equity holders to inform workers of these changes, unless there are significant repercussions to employment contracts such as staff rationalisations or movements.