Race tension growing - survey

2008-12-04 14:03

Cape Town - Almost half of South Africans are less confident about peaceful co-existence with people of other race or ethnic groups than they were in 2007, according to survey results released on Thursday.

The survey, the SA Reconciliation Barometer, was conducted in April and May on behalf of the Cape Town-based Institute for Justice and Reconciliation.

IJR staffer Jan Hofmeyr said it showed the level of optimism on peaceful racial co-existence had declined 40 percent from last year.

Another significant finding was that people's assessment of their personal safety had declined 17% over the past two years.

At 34% this made it the lowest recorded level of optimism since the survey started in 2003.

Political infighting

Hofmeyr said three factors had put pressure on national reconciliation this year.

They were the global economic downturn and fears of a recession, the political infighting in the country, and a marked increase in people's fear for their economic and personal safety.

It was noteworthy in looking at the fault lines that economic inequality emerged as the most mentioned item, Hofmeyr said.

He said that the way divisions between groups, both racial and economic, were smoothed over, would have a significant effect on the country's future.

"There is no space in our political discourse for name calling, or not addressing key areas of development," said Hofmeyr.

A total of 3 500 people over 15 years were questioned for the survey.

- SAPA