Platinum-made Kgosi Leboni, the King of Bafokeng, a very happy man. Where other black men headed underground to hack diamonds for white-owned mines, he was the one in charge. "We own the land, we should get people from outside to come and do all the rough work for us." Rather, he enjoyed the trappings of a royal lifestyle and took a more cerebral approach to mining. "It's become more of Bafokeng Inc, it's a big job managing these logistics." Royalties from the mine enabled the Bafokeng to build schools and roads. But they're not spreading their wealth around: Bafokeng profit is for Bafokeng people. Mine workers are treated just as harshly. Joining them down the mine, we appreciate the heat, danger, and back-breaking work. The Bafokeng's own sense of injustice has blinkered their perception of others' suffering. Africa has an ignoble history of having its riches plundered by outsiders; the platinum king is putting an end to all that. But you've got to be a Bafokeng to get a slice of the action. Now the King has died with no heir, there could well be an old-school battle over his spoils.

Produced by ABC Australia