APPENDIX THREE SUMMARY OF SURVEY DATA June 2000

141 completed surveys

General characteristics Age: 18-24 – 17% 25-29 – 14.2% 30-39 – 18.4% 40-49 – 19.1% 50-59 – 12.8% 60-69 – 12.8% 70 and older – 4.3%

Generation: The vast majority of respondents either 2nd generation (born in SA) at 43.3% OR 3rd generation (born here and parents born here) at 42.6%.

Sex: 46.1% of respondents male, 49.6% female

Language Abilities Chinese Ability to speak Chinese limited. Only 13.5% speak fluently, 31.9% speak somewhat, and 29.8 speak very little; 14.9% speak none. Respondents’ ability to read and write Chinese even more limited. Only 2.1% read well, 8.5% somewhat, 20.6% with difficulty, and 54.6 read none. Only 3.5% write well, 5% somewhat, 25.5% very little, and 52.5% write none.

English, , and African languages Vast majority of respondents speaks, read, and write English at 97.2%, 96.5%, and 97.1% respectively. 40-50% also reports that they speak, read, and write Afrikaans well. Very few Chinese South Africans speak an African language (7.1% report to speak somewhat); fewer still profess an ability to read or write: 0.7% read well, 1.4% read somewhat, and 0.7% write somewhat.

Other languages 22 people (15.6%) responded that they know some other language. Of these, the majority reported knowing French (15 respondents).

Home language Over 50% speak only English at home; another 31% speak both English and a Chinese language at home. Only 5.7% speak only Chinese in the home.

Education The respondents have a very high level of education. 22% have completed some type of post-graduate degree or diploma; 39% have completed technikon or university; another 14.9% have completed some technikon or university. APPENDIX THREE 354 SUMMARY OF SURVEY DATA Chinese South African Identities

Only 14.2 attended government/English primary school; 31.2% attended private English school; and 46.1% attended Chinese primary school. An additional 7.8% attended predominantly Coloured primary schools.

For secondary schooling, 18.4% attended government/English schools, 37.6% attended private English schools, and 31.2% attend Chinese schools. Again, approx. 7% attended Coloured schools. 7 respondents (5%) did not attend secondary school.

For university and/or technikon, the majority (55.3%) attended government/English institutions; 15.6% attended private institutions. 2 people attended Coloured institutions, 1 person went to an Indian tertiary institution, and 6 attended Afrikaans institutions. 29 respondents do not have tertiary education.

Occupation/Income Occupationally, the respondents were scattered across the board, with the largest numbers of them employed in private sector (20.6%) or self-employed (22.7%). Another 10.6% were in the high tech/computer industries, 13.5% in manufacturing, and 11.3% unemployed (or full-time students, homemakers, or retirees).

Most of those employed count themselves as either professionals (48.9%) or are proprietors/self-employed (21.3%). Another 12.1% works in administrative or commercial jobs.

While 22 respondents declined to answer the question regarding income, of those who responded, 17% earn over R200,000 per year, another 17% earn between R100,000 and R199,999, clearly putting them solidly in the middle and upper middle classes of . However, there was almost one quarter (23.5%) that earns less than R40,000 per year. While some of these would include the 11-12% of those who count themselves unemployed, this still leaves a significant number living on a very low income.

Residence Almost half (47.5%) of the respondents were born in Gauteng. Another 35.5% were born in the ; this is congruent with the general population dispersion of Chinese South Africans in the country. The largest communities of Chinese South Africans were born in the greater area (34.8%), (33.3), and (12.1). Most others can be found in (4.3) and Kimberley (7.1). Other smaller communities are in East London (0.7%) and (1.4%). 4 of the respondents (2.8%) were born overseas.

There were slight population shifts between where people were born and where they grew up. Again the greatest populations were still in Johannesburg (34.8%), PE (33.3%), and Pretoria (11.3%).

The greatest shifts occurred between where people grew up and where they currently reside. There seems to be a move from the smaller towns to the larger cities and another move out of the country. Johannesburg still claimed the largest proportion of the respondents with 38.3%. 26.2% were still in PE, 7.1% in Pretoria, 5.7% in Cape

APPENDIX THREE 355 SUMMARY OF SURVEY DATA Chinese South African Identities

Town, and 5.0% in Kimberley. However, 16 people (or 11.3%) of the survey population are currently living overseas (mostly in Canada).

About 1/3 (33.3%) of the respondents said that they had been forced to move at some point in their lives.

The majority of respondents live in nuclear families (55.3%). Another 23.4% live with (only) their spouse or partner. 6.4% live alone and only 5.7% live with 3 generations in the home (including parents and children or grandparents).

The majority lives in predominantly white neighbourhoods (55.3%); another 26.2% report that they live in mixed neighbourhoods; and 14.9% live in predominantly Chinese neighbourhoods. The latter are probably all respondents from PE’s Kabega Park area, which was a former group area designated for the Chinese.

More than ¾ of the respondents (85.1%) report that there are other Chinese in their neighbourhoods.

The vast majority of the respondents report that they live in middle class (51.1%) or upper middle class (29.1%) neighbourhoods.

Friendships/Relationships When asked to describe their closest friends, 28.4% stated that friends were mostly Chinese, 8.5% said they were mostly white, and 33.3% said that they were mostly Chinese and white. Almost 10% (9.2%) named Indians, together with Chinese and/or whites as their closest friends. 12.1% reported to have a mixed group of friends.

In terms of work relationships, about 10% reported mostly Chinese, about 10% reported mostly white, and 22% reported mostly white and Chinese. However, 43% reported that they work in a completely mixed environment.

In terms of organised activities, sporting and social activities seem to be conducted with mostly Chinese friends at 14.9% and 27% respectively. Professional associations appear to be more mixed (22%) or with white colleagues (12.1%). Religious activities are also mixed (19.1%), with mostly Chinese friends (12.1%), or with mostly white friends (9.9%).

Almost 1/3 of the respondents (31.9%) is not married. Of those who are married, 48.9% are married to other Chinese South Africans and 11.3% are married to . Of the few remaining respondents, 1 person is married to an Indian South African, 7 are married to other (non-SA) Chinese, and 3 are married to non-SA, non- Chinese (including a white American, a Japanese Canadian, and a Romanian).

In terms of dating relationships, more than 1/3 has only dated other Chinese South Africans (37.6%). Another 27% have dated white and Chinese South Africans. Only 1 person ever dated a Black South African; 8 have dated Coloured; 6 dated Indian; and 18 dated other non-SA Chinese.

APPENDIX THREE 356 SUMMARY OF SURVEY DATA Chinese South African Identities

Relative Outmarriage 64.4% had relatives who married white South Africans, 5.7% married Indian South African; 17.7% married Coloured; 0 married Black South African. In terms of non- South Africans, 12.8% had relatives who married other Chinese, and 25.5% married to other non-SA, non-Chinese. Of these, the majority was white Canadians (8), white Australians (8), or white Brits (9).

Religion About 1/3 of the respondents report that they are Roman Catholics (35.5%), and another 1/3 report that they are Anglican (31.9%). Only 4 respondents claim to be Buddhist and/or Confucian. Of the 13.5% who indicated that they were members of “other” religious groups, 5 are Baptists, 5 are Pentecostals, and 5 are non-denominational Christians.

Chinese festivals/cultural practices The most celebrated of the Chinese festivals is the lunar New Year, which is currently observed by 2/3 of the respondents (66%). Another 22% report having observed it in the past. Another 41.8% still observe tomb-sweeping days, which take place twice a year to commemorate the lives of and show respect to deceased ancestors. Only about 1/5 of the respondents observe the moon festival, and fewer still observe the dragon boat festival (11.4%).

Double Ten, which is more of a political celebration, observed by both the ROC and the PRC is currently observed by 43.2% of the population. However, as many of the respondents and interviewees explained to me, this was mostly because festivals were sponsored and paid for by the ROC and/or PRC governments and because it served as a good excuse to get together with other Chinese friends.

Considering that most respondents are 2nd or 3rd generation Chinese, the fact that so many still observe traditional Chinese festivals and cultural practices may seem odd. In fact, many of the younger people seem to attend these events out of family obligation with little to no understanding of their meaning and/or purpose. In addition, I would argue that the influence of laws, in segregating the Chinese population, might have, indeed, helped to reinforce these practices. (Compare to US or other community observance of same festivals?)

Values Generally, it would appear that modern/western values (e.g., education, success, money, independence, and personal freedoms) were more important to the respondents than traditionally held Chinese (or East ) values (e.g., filial piety, ancestral rites, feng shui, clan, and other cultural practices). Education was deemed very important to 87.9% and important to another 11.3%; success was reportedly very important for 40.4% and important to 45.4%; money was very important to 14.9% and important to another 51.8%; independence was seen as very important to 49.6% and important to 40.4%; and personal freedoms were viewed as very important to 59.6% and important to 36.9%.

Filial piety was deemed very important to 67.4% and important to 27%. In terms of two related values, family/clan was seen as very important to 51.1% and important to another 34.8% while the observance of ancestral rites (which is the ultimate form of APPENDIX THREE 357 SUMMARY OF SURVEY DATA Chinese South African Identities filial piety) was deemed very important by only 5.7% and important to 29.1% (perhaps reinforcing my earlier point that most Chinese South Africans do not really understand the meaning of all of the traditional Chinese practices). The practice of geomancy or feng shui was not seen as very important by 44.7%.

On the question of patriotism/citizenship as a value, only 12.8% stated that it was very important; another 44.7% stated that it was important, and 30.5% stated that it was somewhat important.

Political participation/patriotism While patriotism/citizenship held some level importance for the majority of the respondents (88% - see above), only 3.5% of them are members of political parties. Most of them did, however, vote in the 1994 elections (82.3%) and again in the 1999 elections (75.2%); fewer than half voted in the 1996 local elections (45.4%).

Very few of the respondents has ever participated in a demonstration or rally (9.9%) and less than 1/3 has ever contacted a government representative (29.1%). However, almost ½ of them has signed a petition addressed to government (45.4%).

Most Chinese South Africans appear to feel lukewarm about their patriotism to South Africa: only 7.1% report being very patriotic, 50.4% are somewhat patriotic, and 31.9% are not very patriotic.

Interestingly, over ¼ of the respondents reported feeling some level of patriotism to (whether ROC or PRC was not always specifically stated): 5% report that they are very patriotic to China, and another 21.3% say that they are somewhat patriotic to China.

Travel Generally, the respondents are a very well travelled group: 117 or 83% of them has travelled out of South Africa. Out of the 141 respondents, 64 have been to the US, 65 to Canada, 46 to Australia and/or New Zealand, 62 to England, and 55 to other European countries. 99 of them have travelled to , China or ; another 48 travelled to other Asian countries. In addition, 11 have been to Mauritius, and 12 have travelled to other African countries.

Emigration One of the most notable responses on the entire survey was whether or not the respondent had family outside of South Africa: out of 141 respondents, 131, or 92.9% answered affirmatively.

Fully 68.1% of these relatives has permanently emigrated. Another 19.8% are overseas temporarily for work or study. Of these, 101 have relatives in Canada, 74 have relatives in Australia (or New Zealand), 49 in the US, 49 in England, and 39 in Hong Kong, China, or Taiwan.

Reasons given for their relatives’ emigration varied. Out of 141 respondents, 103 mention economic reasons (e.g. better professional opportunities), 66 mention crime, another 66 mention better education, 62 mentions politics/apartheid, and 45 said they left in order to join other family members. APPENDIX THREE 358 SUMMARY OF SURVEY DATA Chinese South African Identities

On the question of their own emigration status, 16 individuals or 11.3% of the respondents are currently overseas already (2 left in the 70s, 2 in the 80s, and the remainder left after the 94 elections). Another 11.3% report that they will definitely be leaving; 41.1% report that they have considered leaving but have no current plans to do so; and another 11.3% is uncertain about their future in SA. Only 24.1% say that they will not be leaving South Africa.

In terms of destination countries Australia (and possibly New Zealand) and Canada top the lists, with 60 and 59 mentions, respectively. The US follows, with 30 responses. When asked the main reasons they would leave, crime was the number one reason, with 25.5% ranking it as the main reason and another 29.1% giving it a tick (for a combined 54.6%). This is followed by economic/professional reasons (combined 29%, first choice and ticked), education (combined 19.8%), to join family (combined 14.9%), and discrimination (combined 9.9%).

Identity When asked directly about their identity, the majority (68.1%) reported that they were both Chinese and South African, 17% said they were mainly Chinese, and 11.3% said they were mainly South African.

Responses to Statements There was little disagreement amongst the respondents to statements about discrimination against the Chinese, Chinese rights, and responsibilities, pride in Chinese heritage. In response to the statement that Chinese were discriminated against during apartheid, almost ¾ strongly agreed (73%) and another almost ¼ (or 23.4%) agreed. Only one person strongly disagreed with the statement. Whether Chinese should have the same rights and responsibilities, respondents felt strongly (43.3%) or solidly (47.5%) in agreement. And, pride in their heritage was unquestionable: 68.8% strongly agreed, and another 29.1% agreed.

Regarding whether the Chinese were treated better than other disadvantaged groups, while 61% agreed; only 9.9% strongly agreed. 14.2% were uncertain, 9.9% disagreed, and 4.3% strongly disagreed.

There was also similar spread as to whether Chinese should receive benefits of : 42.6% strongly agreed and 27.7% agreed; however, 12.1% were uncertain, and 15.6% disagreed.

Statements regarding the new South Africa, emigration, and civic responsibility generated some disagreement and a broad range of responses. On the statement about there being no room in the new South Africa for Chinese South Africans, about ¼ agreed (8.5% strongly agreed) while over ½ disagreed (22.7% strongly disagreed), and 18.4% were uncertain. On whether they felt any civic responsibility toward South African, while 59.5% agreed (only 11.3% strongly), 9.2% disagreed, and over ¼ were uncertain. In response to the statement that South Africa has never done anything for them and they would leave, only about 1/5 agreed (only 4.3% strongly), while almost ½ disagreed; however, about 30% were uncertain. And on the statement that they were too South African to ever leave the country, only about 1/5 agreed (only 4.3% strongly) while almost ½ disagreed; again, however, about 30% were uncertain. APPENDIX THREE 359 SUMMARY OF SURVEY DATA Chinese South African Identities

On the two conflicting statements regarding the new Chinese immigrants, responses were similarly mixed. Almost ¼ agreed that the new immigrants make them feel more Chinese, while another ¼ were uncertain, and the remaining approximately 50% disagreed. While one might expect the reverse proportions on the opposite statement about the new immigrants making them feel less Chinese, the results were as follows: about ¼ agreed with the statement, almost 30% were uncertain, and about 40% disagreed. (Interpretation? New immigrants do not greatly impact feelings of Chinese- ness amongst Chinese South Africans? They haven’t thought about it much? They don’t engage with the new immigrants? They are simply different?)

APPENDIX THREE 360 SUMMARY OF SURVEY DATA Chinese South African Identities