More blacks consider emigration

2008-07-24 21:21

Johannesburg - The number of black and coloured South Africans seriously considering emigration has shot up by 20% and 30% respectively since 2000, researchers said on Thursday.

"We are now seeing a tipping point for an exodus, but this time across the board in terms of race," Future Fact researcher Debbie Milne told a conference in Johannesburg.

"It is motivated more by the sense of cynicism than real, violent, political turmoil," she added.

About 39% of South Africans said they were seriously considering leaving the country in 2007, as opposed to 18% in 2000, in a survey conducted in the second half of last year among 2 500 adults.

The increase was up across all races. Only 22% of white people, 18% of black people, 12% of coloured people and 26% of Indians said they were considering emigration in 2000.

People feel helpless and hopeless

But in 2007, sentiments had changed with 41% of whites, 38% of blacks, 42% of coloureds and 30% of Indians thinking of leaving the country.

"It does show the sense of dissatisfaction," said Milne.

"South Africa as a society has a number of unhappy people who feel helpless and hopeless about their future. Many social ills contribute to an exodus mentality among our citizens."

The survey also showed that more than two thirds of South Africans believed in 2006 that most problems in the country were caused by illegal immigrants.

Some 67% of South Africans believed this in 2006, as opposed to 47% in 2002.

Down and out

Depression levels were high among all South Africans, but highest among people in the lowest income groups. Two-thirds of people in the lowest income group said they often felt depressed, while about 45% of middle class South Africans and 33% of upper class people said the same.

High crime rates were one of the main reasons for the pessimism.

The research found that 63% of people believed they had a right to take the law into their hands if the police failed to deal with a crime.

Another 60% said they would rather call a neighbour or a private security company instead of the police during a house robbery.

Proudly South African

However, she said South Africans were still "clearly seeking out commonality".

She said 53% of respondents said they considered themselves first as South Africans, before identifying themselves by race or language.

Also, 78% of white South Africans believed one should learn a black language.

- SAPA