![]() ![]() People in the area also raised concerns about roads and water during the visit, which officials said they would address Since June 9, fortune seekers armed with pickaxes and shovels have been flocking to a field in KwaHlathi, in eastern South Africa, after a local found some stones he believed to be diamonds. People from across South Africa have flocked to KwaHlathi village. (AFP Photo) The prospect of finding a diamond sent glimmering ripples of hope to one of the poorest regions of South Africa as the coronavirus pandemic worsened decades of extremely high unemployment levels. Like many areas in South Africa, high levels of unemployment and poverty have left communities living hand to mouth. 'Diamond rush' grips South African village as 1,000 fortune-seekers flock to the area after shepherd discovers unidentified gems. A boy holds what he believes to be a diamond in KwaHlathi village near Ladysmith in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, June 15, 2021. The event had highlighted the challenges faced by local people, he continued. Unfortunately, lab tests have just come back determining that the stones are just quartz. "When I returned home with them, (the family was) really overjoyed." More than 1,000 fortune seekers on Monday flocked to the village of KwaHlathi in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province in search of what they believed to be diamonds after a discovery of. "This means our lives will change because no one had a proper job, I do odd jobs," one hopeful digger, 27-year-old Mendo Sabelo, told CNN. ![]() By Sunday, thousands of people from all over had rushed to dig in the spot hoping to find a fortune. Police cars are monitoring the area to keep the crowds in check.Ten days ago, a cattle herder in the remote South African village of KwaHlathi found what appeared to be a large diamond in a field. But the reality is that the diamond rush is likely to end with the same disappointment that. The government on Tuesday (June 15) sent a team of geological and mining experts to the area, now pockmarked with holes, to collect stones for analysis. Dreams of easier life as 'diamond rush' grips KZN after discovery of unidentified stones Some people have started selling the stones, with the starting price ranging from R100 to R300. KwaHlathi residents in KwaZulu-Natal hope that unidentified stones could change their future. Hundreds of South Africans have flocked to KwaHlathi in KwaZulu-Natal after unconfirmed reports that diamonds were. This after an unassuming cattle herder set off a 'diamond rush' in the village, with hundreds hoping to strike. Hundreds flock to KZN village over ‘diamond rush’. "These are not diamonds, people here are just wasting their time," said 18-year-old Bhekumuzi Luvuno, skeptically inspecting one of the stones he unearthed overnight.Īuthorities over the weekend asked diggers to leave the area, citing coronavirus restrictions, but to no avail. The hill in KwaHlathi turned into a hive of activity almost overnight last weekend. There is talk of "foreigners" buying the stones for a few hundred rands in the nearby town of Ladysmith.īut experts say it is highly unlikely the stones will turn out to be valuable. 'Diamond rush' grips South African village after discovery of unidentified stones Story by Reuters Updated 1026 GMT (1826 HKT) JFortune seekers flock to the village of KwaHlathi, in. I want a house with double storage, this is going to change our life," Mr Manyathi told AFP, fingering a cluster of stones in his pocket. SA diamond rush called off after fortune-seekers disappointed by finding quartz: MINING hopefuls were disappointed to find that the diamonds they had been digging for in KwaZulu-Natal’s KwaHlathi were in fact quartz of little economic value. ![]() Johannesburg resident Thulani Manyathi, 36, travelled to KwaHlathi from the impoverished township of Alexandra with his four young daughters. ![]()
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