Up to seven out of every 10 South Africans prefer to live and work in a Western liberal democracy, a poll by the think-tank Social Research Foundation has found.
In the same survey, only one out of 10 citizens polled opted to live and work in either Cuba, Russia or China.
The data investigating the opinions of South Africans towards some of the world’s most influential countries, allowed the 3,200 respondents to choose from the US, UK, Germany, Cuba, Russia, and China. The survey was conducted telephonically and has a national margin of error of 1.7%.
“The data jars somewhat with SA’s foreign policy which is often sympathetic to the latter [China, Cuba and Russia] while ambivalent on the former [UK, US and Germany],” the foundation said in the report.
South Africans are more inclined to choose democracy over autocracies or dictatorships
— Brand SA's Shamiso Hlatshwayo
SA and Russia are members of the Brics bloc and have ties emanating from the days of the liberation struggle. The former Soviet Union was a key backer of the ANC and other liberation movements at the time.
SA was one of 35 countries that abstained from a vote condemning Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territories. North Korea, Belarus, Syria, Nicaragua and Russia itself were the only countries that voted against the resolution. It was passed after 143 countries voted in favour of condemnation.
SA also abstained from voting on a resolution to suspend Russia from the Human Rights Council. In 2022 international relations & co-operation minister Naledi Pandor accused the West of a bullying attitude towards Africa and said SA has different views from the US on Ukraine, China, Israel and Palestine.
SA has similar ties with Cuba, which is actively training SA doctors and helping to beef up the health sector in the country.
Categorising respondents by political affiliation, the sample revealed that a majority of those associated with the governing ANC would prefer to work and raise their children in the US, with Germany and UK also placing high.
DA voters voted to live in the US, preferring the UK next and then Germany. The UK was also preferred by a large number of Freedom Front plus voters.
The bulk of EFF supporters voted to relocate to the US, while the UK, Cuba, Russia and China were also desired by these respondents.
Acting GM of research at Brand SA Shamiso Hlatshwayo said given that SA is one of the best democracies in the world, it is unsurprising that South Africans surveyed chose the way that they did from a democratic standpoint.
“The way the questions were phrased reflects that South Africans are more inclined to choose democracy over autocracies or dictatorships,” she said.
The US, UK, Cuba and Germany were top favourites among the black respondents, with a small but significant percentage opting for China and Russia. None of the white respondents voted in favour of moving to China, Russia or Cuba.
Hlatshwayo said the choice to move to other racially diverse nations such as the US and the UK is a natural option for most SA citizens.
Contrary to popular belief that emigration is a sign of disgruntlement, Brand SA equates high levels of emigration to a growing demand for SA talent and skills, Hlatshwayo said.
“SA talent and skills are in high demand in all corners of the world,” she said highlighting that Canada and the Middle East are among the biggest poachers of local talent.
More than 80% of South Africans abroad who were surveyed by Brand SA indicated they would return to the country if they had the same career opportunities in SA.
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