More than a thousand people from all over South Africa gathered in Kwahlathi, KwaZulu-Natal province, Looking for stones that many believe are diamonds.
Treasure hunters have been digging since last Saturday Word spreads about a shepherd who unearthed gem-like objects in the open field, which some believe quartz crystal, which does not have that much commercial value.
Excavators are not intimidated by the fact that Stones not yet ratedA long queue of cars formed on the gravel road adjacent to the open ground.
Some people have even started selling the stones they are getting, regardless of their original value. Some copies are being sold for R$110. See:
‘Mysterious stones’ launch large treasure hunt in South Africa
One miner said they were a blessing to the community, which is suffering from high levels of unemployment.
27 year old father of two children said search “It means our life will change because no one had a suitable job, I work weird”.
“When I returned home with them (stones), the family was overjoyed”, he added according to the “sun”.
For some, digging is a chance to see a diamond for the first time.
“I have never seen or touched a diamond in my life. I have touched it for the first time”Scambuzo Mbele said, ignoring the fact that there is no evidence that it is a gem.
South Africa’s mining department sent a team of geologists and mining experts to survey the site. Provincial government officials have called for the area to be cleared to allow experts to conduct an in-depth inspection. But many people protest on the spot.
South Africa has one of the worst unemployment rates in Africa, with millions of people living in poverty since the end of apartheid in 1994. The country is the most industrialized in Africa, but it is impressive 32.6% of its active population without jobs, according to data for the first quarter of 2021.
