Analysis of life-time migration in the former Transkei, Eastern Cape.

Abstract

Before 1970 Transkei lost more people to the Republic of South Africa (particularly to the mining centres) than she gained. After 1970 she gained more people (largely of Xhosa origin) than she lost. There was a marked increase in the level of migration (both local and regional) at the time of Transkei’s self rule in 1963 and political autonomy in 1976. During the time of political autonomy the sharpest rise in the migration rate occurred in 1973, predating political independence by three years. There has also been an accelerated increase of migration to Transkei’s urban centres in the last decade (1980–90). Umtata attracted the bulk of the life-time migrants (first-time movers), followed by Butterworth, and then Lady Frere (Ezibeleni and Ilinge). However, the biggest relative gains were found in Butterworth (with 67%) followed by Umtata (with 42%) and then Lady Frere (with 25%). In almost all the cases with relative gains females predominated. Heavy relative losses were experienced by Idutywa (40%), Mt. Fletcher (13%) and Port St. Johns (12%). Other urban centres which lost people were Mt. Frere, Cala and Sterkspruit. Port St. Johns and Mt. Frere lost more males (13% and 16% respectively). The major sending areas of migrants to the urban centres of Transkei were the combined ‘other places (districts) elsewhere in Transkei (outside the sample urban centres)’, followed by the Republic of South Africa, including self-governing areas and independent homelands. The Index of Age Selectivity of migration in the former Transkei reflects the selective nature of migration in the broad age group 25 to 54 and over, while elsewhere in Africa the prime ages of migrants are between 20 and 39. Also contrary to the rest of Africa, in the former Transkei more females than males migrate from rural to urban areas.