Just as mining has always been central to the South African economy, so has the organisation of mine workers been central to the country’s labour movement and the broader political landscape. From Underground to the Corridors of Power takes a detailed and critical look at the history of the National Union of Miners (NUM), from its formation in 1982 until the present day, including the Marikana massacre of 2012. Featuring interviews with key figures in the movement, including its first General Secretary, current South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the film focuses on the miners’ struggle for a living wage and better working conditions, and explores the ways in which the activities of NUM related to the broader anti-apartheid struggle, particularly its relationship with the ANC.
