Nyerenda, Pretty Nkambule and Yvone Mnisi still haven't been found since the first collapse at the mine 10 days ago.
Since then, there have been two additional collapses and mine officials say the ground remains unstable.
Siboniso Mangongo is an underground worker at the Lily Mine and has worked with Nyerenda for a number of years.
He says Nyerenda stood out as a leader among his peers.
“We’re together on a committee of shop stewards as well. We’re losing a man among men. We’re losing a friend. We’re very disappointed.”
Mangong is among the workers that have gathered at the site for the past week, hoping to hear news of their rescue.
But he says they've now accepted the inevitable.
He says Nyerenda stood out as a leader among his peers.
“We’re together on a committee of shop stewards as well. We’re losing a man among men. We’re losing a friend. We’re very disappointed.”
Mangong is among the workers that have gathered at the site for the past week, hoping to hear news of their rescue.
But he says they've now accepted the inevitable.
