Independent Newspapers
Census figures have revealed a dramatic shift in the composition of some of KwaZulu-Natal’s affluent neighbourhoods. File photo: Ross Jansen
Durban – It is official: the affluent formerly white suburbs of Kloof and Durban North are now dominated by black Africans, and townships like KwaMashu and uMlazi are sparsely scattered with white residents.
The 2011 National Census results, broken down into suburb-specific detail, were released on Monday, and the key migratory patterns observed throughout the country since the previous census in 2001 are just as prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal, as a stronger black middle class emerges.
The figures show that there are now almost 16 000 black Africans living in Kloof, as opposed to just more than 10 000 white residents. Black Africans make up 54 percent of Kloof residents, while coloureds, Indians and whites account for just 1, 11 and 34 percent respectively. In Durban North, black Africans also outnumber their white counterparts, although not by much, making up 37 percent of the population, compared with 32 percent. The Indian population in Durban North is also closing in on that of whites, now at 25 percent.
Dr Arulsivanathan Naidoo, the head of Stakeholder Relations at Stats SA, said on Monday that this trend mirrored that which was taking place throughout South Africa.
“Since the start of our democracy until 2001, when the previous census was held, there was not much change in terms of migration patterns and suburb population dynamics. However, in the 10 years from 2001 until 2011, the last census, there has been a lot of change, and this recent census is the first real accurate count between those two points.”
Naidoo said that the black Africans that were moving into the formerly white suburbs were bringing with them higher incomes and education levels. Black Africans were also catching up to the numbers of their white counterparts in Westville and Morningside.
Chatsworth is still dominated by Indians, who make up 60 percent of the population, but 38 percent – or 75 004 residents – are now black Africans.
The statistics also show that KwaMashu, although having a 99-percent black African population, also has 145 white residents. A total of 1 457 Indian and 303 coloureds also live in KwaMashu.
Similarly, uMlazi, with a total population of over 400 000, has 285 white, 999 Indian and 578 coloured residents. Durban’s statistics also showed that 48 percent of both uMhlanga and Hillcrest residents had completed some higher education, followed by 47 percent of Westville residents.
Higher education levels in KwaMashu, uMlazi, Phoenix and Chatsworth ranged from nine to 12 percent.
However, KwaMashu households have the highest percentage of married residents over the age of 16, with 97 percent. By comparison, only 82 percent of Morningside households are occupied by married couples.
Naidoo said the latest census statistics at suburb level showed a decrease in the number of people in South Africa living without basic essentials such as water and electricity.
“The quality of life generally has improved throughout the country, with more people now having access to basic services,” he said. However, there were still small pockets of people who had not seen an improvement in their living standards. – The Mercury
