North West - Thousands of miners clocked in for work at Lonmin's Marikana mine on Thursday morning after a wage deal was struck following a deadly six-week wildcat strike that left 46 dead.
Workers chatted loudly as the queue shuffled to the turnstile entrance for the 07:00 am shift at the mine's Rowland shaft, where they are to undergo medical checkups and orientation before going underground in a few days.
Many were happy about the pay increase, between 11 and 22 percent depending on worker category, that broke the deadlock after the strike started on August 10.
"We're happy to go to work. We got what we wanted," said Yandisa Mehlo, 37, though the London-based firm offered less than the miners' demands of R12 500 basic salary.
"The strike is over now," said another worker, David Mgengwane, wearing a T-shirt with the word "Revolution" on the front.
"I'm happy too much! I'm a breadwinner, my family is going to be happy," said the 24-year-old, who supports his father and two sisters.
Others were less satisfied, but returned to work out of desperation after going without pay for over a month.
"I return to work because I'm so hungry," said Phumlile Macefane, 24.
"I'm unhappy because I can't get R12 500," he said.
"My brothers are dead, were killed by the police."
Police shot dead 34 people on August 16, days after violent clashes between miners left 10 others dead, including two police officers. Another man was beaten to death last week, and a woman died this week after she was hit by a police rubber bullet on Saturday.
The mine, which had lain quiet during the strike, was a hive of activity on Thursday, with vehicles moving and buses filled to the brim bringing miners to work.
Police vehicles kept a discreet distance.
Though miners clocked in on Thursday, production is only expected to start in a few days.- AFP