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Episode details

World Service,15 Nov 2024,29 mins

Who are the miners trapped inside a closed mine in South Africa?

Focus on Africa

Available for over a year

South African authorities try to force as many as 4,000 illegal miners - known as zama zamas - to return to the surface, by denying them food and water. The miners, who have been stuck underground, fear they will be arrested. Who are they? And could the government's hardline operation be challenged in the courts? What next for Mali - now that the multinational UN peacekeeping force, MINUSMA, has officially ended its mission after being ordered out of the country by the military government. And Miss Somalia, Khadija Omar, tells us about her journey from the stifling heat of a refugee camp to making history on a global stage as the first hijab-wearing beauty queen to take part in the Miss Universe pageant. Presenter: Audrey Brown Producers: Nyasha Michelle and Amie Liebowitz in London. Susan Gachuhi in Nairobi, and Blessing Aderogba in Lagos Technical Producer: Nick Randell Senior Journalist: Patricia Whitehorne Editors: Andre Lombard and Alice Muthengi

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