Migrant characteristics and migration patterns to Gauteng (2001-2011)

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although Gauteng only covers 1.5% of the total land area of South Africa, it is viewed as the economic heartland of the country and a gateway to Africa. Gauteng experienced the highest rate of population growth between 2001 and 2011 with in-migration playing an important role. This movement of people from both outside South African borders and from other provinces within the country plays a significant role in the development of Gauteng. The rapid urban growth of the province and in-migration exert tremendous pressure on the provincial infrastructure and impact on both provincial and municipal functions, especially the planning and delivery of services. This research analyses migration patterns and trends to Gauteng over the period 2001 to 2011 and profiles the demographic, social and economic characteristics of migrants to Gauteng. The results indicate that as much as 32 percent of migrants to Gauteng between 2001 and 2011 are foreign migrants from outside SA, followed by 20.3 percent from Limpopo and 13.1 percent from KwaZulu-Natal. The City of Johannesburg is the main destination of migrants to Gauteng, attracting 38.4 percent of all migrants to the province, and is also the preferred destination in Gauteng for foreign migrants from outside South Africa (48.9 percent). The typical migrant to Gauteng is a male person who has never married, aged between 20 and 29 years. This migrant is most likely to be originating from outside South Africa, from Limpopo, or KwaZulu-Natal. The typical migrant is likely to have completed some secondary education and is earning a low income of less than R6400 per month. The findings also indicate the existence of subtle sub-stream migration movements to Gauteng underlying the dominant patterns. The results provide an understanding of contemporary migration dynamics to Gauteng and can inform planning and policy formulation.

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel Gauteng slegs 1.5 persent van die totale area van Suid Afrika beslaan, word dit beskou as die hartland van die land en die poort na Afrika. Gauteng het die hoogste bevolkingsgroei getoon tussen 2001 en 2011 met inkomende migrante van buite Suid Afrika se grense en van ander provinsies wat die hoofrol gespeel het. Die tempo van stedelike groei in die provinsie en inkomende migrasie plaas baie druk op die provinsiale infrastruktuur en het ‘n invloed op beide provinsiale en munisipale funksies, veral die beplanning en voorsiening van dienste. Hierdie navorsing ontleed migrasie patrone na Gauteng oor die periode van 2001 tot 2011 en analiseer die demografiese, sosiale en ekonomiese eienskappe van migrante na Gauteng. Die resultate toon dat soveel as 32 persent van migrante na Gauteng tussen 2001 en 2011 vanaf die buiteland afkomstig was, gevolg deur 20.3 persent vanaf Limpopo en 13.1 persent van KwaZulu-Natal. Die stad Johannesburg is die hoof bestemming van migrante na Gauteng (38.4 persent van alle imigrante na die provinsie), en is ook die verkose bestemming vir die meerderheid buitelandse immigrante (48.9 persent). Die tipiese immigrant na Gauteng is ‘n ongetroude manlike persoon tussen 20 en 29 jaar oud. Die immigrant is ook hoofsaaklik afkomstig van buite Suid Afrika, Limpopo of KwaZulu-Natal. Die tipiese immigrant het waarskynlik ‘n vorm van sekondêre onderwys ontvang en verdien ‘n inkomste van minder as R6400.00 per maand. Die bevindings bevestig ook die bestaan van subtiele sub-stroom immigrasie patrone na Gauteng onderliggend tot die dominante hoofstroom migrasie bewegings. Die resultate verskaf insig in die hedendaagse migrasie bewegings en kan bydrae tot ingeligte beplanning en beleidsformulering vir die provinsie.

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