Family disorganisation and mental health in a South African mining community

Abstract

Most of the communities around South African mines are synonymous with poor family structures by virtue of the nature of the mining environment. Family disorganisation within the mining communities is a symptom of the migrant labour system, poverty and unemployment, HIV/AIDS and a poor infrastructure. The impact of family disorganisation on mental health is a burning and relevant subject which has been ignored to a huge extent when dealing with issues related to mining communities. This article is based on qualitative research undertaken in mining communities around a platinum mine in the North-West Province in South Africa.