She spent three days trapped in a water-filled mine pit near Kleinzee, until an incredible army of helpers formed around her and did not leave until she was free.
Northern Cape, South Africa (28 July 2026) – There is an area outside Kleinzee, near Nattebooi Mine, riddled with deep pits and tunnels left behind by illegal diamond diggers. The ground there swallows things whole. And for three days, it had swallowed a mare.
When Haven of Hope got the call that afternoon, they knew it would be a complicated rescue. By the time they reached her, only her head and neck were still above the water. She was freezing, exhausted, and whinnying softly, like she was still asking someone to come.
So they came. All of them!
Haven of Hope rallied its helpers and soon, teams and resources beyond what any average rescue would require arrived on scene.
Mining and security teams showed up with a truck and a Hi-Up lift. Then another from Namakhoi Municipality arrived with their generator. Fuel was donated so the generator could run. Five bakkies hauled people and gear across the rough ground. A family even arrived with sugar water, carrots and wound spray for the frightened mare.
“Once again, our community showed what is possible when people come together.” shares Haven of Hope.
Getting her out was the difficult part. It took hours, and there were many failed attempts. Eventually, the mining team, along with three men who got down into the mud and water with the mare – Wian, Andrew and Ian – managed to loop straps around her body. Slowly and carefully, they lifted her.
“With great care, the exhausted mare was lifted out of the pit. And then the miracle happened…
She did not collapse.”Her wounds were treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. When they were confident enough to let her go, she took a few unsteady steps, put her head down, and started to eat. And then…her stallion and foal came to find her. Nobody standing there had a dry eye left.
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Haven of Hope also wanted to say thank you to everyone who’d helped restock their medical supplies in the weeks before this happened, because without that on hand, they wouldn’t have been able to move as fast as they did.
“And let us continue to raise our voices about the life-threatening danger these open mine shafts pose to our animals.”
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