Hundreds of unemployed young men and women who "assisted" the strikers, some losing their lives in the process, have lost hope.

Thembinkosi Gwelani, of Lusikisiki, in Eastern Cape, who was at Lonmin to look for a job at the time of the protest, lost his life bringing food to striking miners.

Many survivors said they were packing their bags and heading back to Eastern Cape because they had no future in Marikana.

Unemployed Zitha Soni, of Ngqeleni, said: "It is a struggle for us here [at Marikana]. We were there when miners were killed. We were there at the meetings in Wonderkop stadium," he said. "But now we are forgotten heroes - Gwelani was shot while bringing miners food."

Mine-workers' leader Zolani Bodlani acknowledged that not everyone who participated in the strike, such as employees of contractors, and the unemployed, would benefit from the wage deal.

"This strike was purely for permanently employed workers and we appreciate your kind participation, but the company has made it clear that [the increase] will benefit only its employees," said Bodlani. "Even the once-off bonus payment of R2000 is for full-time employees [only]."

Unemployed Eastern Cape woman Nomahlubi Mbambisa, from Mthatha, said her dreams had been crushed.

"We are only girls at home and we are orphans.

"I was forced to come here to work and I told myself that, even if it meant I would work underground, I would because it would enable me to feed my siblings."

"I am planning to go back home now," she said. "At least there will be employment opportunities there in the government's expanded public works programme."