Randfontein is offering to arrange retraining for sacked miners, in welding or carpentry, for example.

ECONOMIST: South Africa

JCI, the company that owns Randfontein, was bought last year by black businessmen.

ECONOMIST: South Africa

Solly Akoojee has for 21 years run a store that serves Randfontein's miners, selling acrylic cardigans and nylon trousers, cheap electronics and plastic luggage.

ECONOMIST: South Africa

But at Randfontein the air is heavy with disappointment.

ECONOMIST: South Africa