Houdings teenoor die Suid-Afrikaanse immigrasiebeleid

Abstract

The attitudes of a representative sample of adult white Pretorians towards the South African immigration policy were investigated during the first half of 1970, by means of a schedule. This schedule contained questions covering variousaspects of the immigration policy Some ofthe conclusions drawnfrom the data were: 1. 1. The sample agreed with the broad aims of the South African immigration policy. 2. 2. The sample desired strict screening of prospective immigrants. They preferred immigrants who would be easily assimilated by South African society i.e. healthy, economically active, politically irreproachable, professionally or technically trained immigrants who come from those countries which originallyprovided South Africa's white population. 3. 3. The sample held unrealistic expectations of immigrants regarding the learning of both official languages, naturalisation, military service and registrationofmovement within South Africa. 4. 4. These cultural and socio-demographic factors influenced the attitudes ofthe sample in the following manner: Language and religious affiliation: the English-speaking members of the English medium churches had a more favourable attitude towards immigration than had the Afrikaans section of the sample. The difference between these cultural groups is one of degree only. Urban background: those with a predominantly urban background were more in favour of immigration than those with a predominantly rural background. Occupation: people in professional occupations and those with higher qualifications were more In favour of immigration than lower-qualified people. In contrast with the above, the respondents' sex, age and marital status did not noticeably influence their attitudes.