SA not simmering pot of racial hatred – IRR

Contrary to false assumptions pervading much of the debate about Donald Trump’s recent intervention, most South Africans are not obsessed with race and racial grievance, but are moderate and conciliatory and are far more interested in jobs and better economic prospects.

Escalating tension between the governments of South Africa and the United States over the issues of property rights and race-based policies, have once again seen race relations come to the fore as a topic of heated discussion in South Africa.

By misidentifying Afrikaners in isolation as the victims of decades of anti-growth, pro-poverty policies under ANC governments, President Trump triggered debate on both sides of the Atlantic about the state of race relations in South Africa more than thirty years after the 1994 democratic elections effectively ended apartheid.

Sadly, much of the debate has been based on the false assumption that racism as an issue defines the lives, aspirations, and attitudes of most or even all South Africans – and that it should therefore define government policy as well.

However, the truth about race relations in this country is markedly different, as IRR opinion polling has continually shown over many years – the most recent data of which was collected and published towards the end of 2024 in a presentation and report by IRR head of strategic communications, Hermann Pretorius.

The report, Hope, Opportunity, Unity, and New Common Ground, highlights the extent to which South Africans, despite racism occasionally flaring up as an issue, are non-racial in their attitudes, moderate and conciliatory in their beliefs, and motivated by issues related to future economic growth far more than issues of historical grievance.

87% of South Africans agree that collaboration among racial groups is critical for national progress, while 53% believe race relations have improved since 1994. Meanwhile, 67% report that they have not personally experienced racism in the last five years – an overwhelming contrast to the prevailing narrative of racial animosity.

On the question of policy focus, racism ranks 15^th out of 18 with only 2% of people regarding it as a top national priority. Tellingly, the land question is considered a national priority by only 1% of the population, ranking last on the list of issues. Maintaining a multi-year trend, “unemployment and job creation” ranks highest, with 49% of people identifying it as a national priority.

Says Pretorius: “The extent to which South Africans agree on the fundamental remedy of economic growth is remarkable, but, sadly, so often unremarked on. Economic aspirations cut across racial lines – uniting people in a hunger not for vengeance or land, but for economic upliftment through job and wealth creation. A decisive 83% of South Africans prefer a government focused on job creation over one dedicated to social grants as the means of empowerment. Additionally, a clear majority of 63% support a business-friendly environment to stimulate investment. But sound race relations don’t get clicks. Millions of people of different races getting along every day don’t make headlines.

“The IRR, having embarked two years ago on a successful mission to make economic growth the core of our national policy debate, now calls on South Africa’s leaders to dump failed policies like BEE, scrap dangerous ones like expropriation below market value, and embrace truly non-racial pro-growth policies that fuel investment, job creation, and create a route out of a national depression back to individual success and national pride.”

Media contact: Hermann Pretorius IRR Head of Strategic Communications Tel: 079 875 4290 Email: hermann@irr.org.za

Media enquiries: Michael Morris Tel: 066 302 1968 Email: michael@irr.org.za