For much of the 20th century, South Africa was one of the world’s largest producers of blue asbestos (crocidolite), a highly toxic form of asbestos with needle-like fibres that are particularly hazardous when inhaled. The Northern Cape, home to some of the largest crocidolite mines, became a centre of asbestos mining, with several international companies profiting from the industry.
While the dangers of asbestos exposure were known by the mid-20th century, the industry continued to operate, often under hazardous working conditions that exposed not only miners but also their families and surrounding communities to deadly fibres. Even those who never set foot in a mine were at risk. Asbestos dust settled on homes, roads and even playgrounds, embedding itself in the daily lives of those who lived near mining areas.
Anna van Syfer was one of these individuals.
Anna's Story
Anna was born in Marydale in 1944, a small town in the Northern Cape. She was raised by her grandparents, in Prieska. Prieska was not far from Koegas, one of the country’s biggest asbestos mining sites, where asbestos dust and contamination were widespread.
The Salt Factory
At a young age, Anna left school to help support her family, taking a job at a salt depot in Prieska. This is where her exposure to asbestos began. The depot was next to a large asbestos storage facility, which received daily shipments from the mines around Prieska, coating the area in a layer of dust. Airborne asbestos fibres contaminated the air, her workplace and the surrounding environment, placing Anna at risk.
“The salt factory was next door to a large asbestos store, where asbestos was brought from the asbestos mine. There was lots of asbestos dust in the area”
A Home Surrounded by Danger
In 1963, Anna moved with her family to a farm near Koegas, approximately 2 to 3 kilometres from the asbestos mine. Mining operations, including frequent blasting, filled the air with asbestos dust, which settled inside their home and required constant cleaning – a task Anna and her grandmother undertook daily.
“The area around our house was very dusty. Our house was also very dusty, so we had to sweep and clean around the house a lot.”
Further exposure came from her uncle, who worked in the asbestos mine. On weekends, he would return home in work clothes covered in asbestos dust, which her grandmother washed. This routine unknowingly exposed the entire household to hazardous fibers.
Later Life and Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Anna left Koegas in 1967 and worked in Upington, Kimberley, and Johannesburg before settling in De Aar in 1979.
In October 2021, at the age of 77, Anna was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive and incurable cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Her diagnosis confirmed the devastating, irreversible impact of the asbestos dust she had unknowingly lived and worked alongside since childhood.
Legal Battle and Record-Breaking Settlement
Seeking recognition for the impact of her asbestos exposure and access to justice, Anna pursued legal action.
Her case resulted in a substantial settlement and while it could not restore Anna’s health or improve her quality of life, this legal victory provided justice for Anna and her family.
"Anna touched all of us with her resilience and quiet determination. Through her diagnosis and legal journey, she remained a powerful presence—dignified, thoughtful, and deeply committed to seeking justice. Her strength gave voice to so many who had suffered in silence, and her legacy will continue to inspire those still fighting for recognition and accountability."
Anna tragically passed away in November 2024, but her battle was not fought in vain. Her courage in sharing her story and fighting for justice has created a pathway for others affected by asbestos-related diseases. Her case has raised awareness, strengthened the fight for corporate accountability and brought hope to victims who once felt powerless.
