Suicide Among Former Mineworkers in the sub Region of Transkei, South Africa: Case Reports

Transkei is one of the former black homelands in South Africa where the majority of the population is impoverished & dependent upon either income of migrant mineworkers or subsistence farming. 3 former mineworkers & children of 2 other families have died by suicide. This article presents their histories as obtained by interviewing their relatives. The common underlying causes are identified & discussed. Among them financial difficulties are featured prominently in all the cases. (26 refs)