Between Acknowledgement and Ignorance:
How white South Africans have dealt with the apartheid past

by Gunnar Theissen

Appendix: Questionnaire of the CSVR Survey

Questioning was done with this questionnaire and question-order. The numbers of the questions do not reflect the question order. People who said they were "undecided" were always classified to the "don't know" category

Introduction

My name is XXXX and I am calling from the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation which is part of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

I am phoning because we are conducting a nation-wide telephone survey among white South Africans. The purpose of the survey is to find out how white South Africans feel about the new situation and current political issues in order to give decision-makers a feed-back about the feelings of the white community.

Your number was selected at random from a local telephone directory and your responses will be confidential. Your co-operation is voluntary, but we appreciate your help. Please feel free to ask questions at any time and if you feel uncomfortable with any of the questions, please say so. Okay?

Respondent Selection

This survey is only looking at the white population group: Are the members of this household South African citizens and do they belong to the white population group?

If No: Well, for this study we are only interviewing white South Africans, because we want to find out how those are dealing with the past and how they feel about the future. We are sorry that we bothered you. Have a nice day (afternoon, evening), good bye.

If Yes: Secondly I will have to find out, who is supposed to be interviewed in your household. We need to give every adult who is staying with you the same chance to be interviewed. Please think about everybody who is 18 years of age or older. Whose birthday is next? Would you be that person?

If No: May I speak to him/her (that person)?

If Not Available: When could I contact her/him? Could you give me (again) the Christian name of that person? Thank you very much. Would you please tell her/him that we will phone again for an interview. Thank you very much for your co-operation so far, good bye.

Interviewer Fall-Back Statements

Explanation of the Survey: The survey takes about 15 minutes time. Most of the Questions deal with your opinions towards the new South Africa and current political issues as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We want to get a true picture about the public opinion of white South Africans throughout the country, because we feel their views must be heard in the New South Africa.

How Confidential is the Survey: Well, I do not know your name or address. The answers will all be grouped together, so no responses can be identified with any particular person.

Use of the Survey: The results of the survey will be published by us/the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation. Political parties and government institutions will have access to the results. But no responses can be identified with any specific person.

Where Did You Get My Phone Number? Telephone numbers have been selected by using the official Telkom-telephone directories. Every 10th page one number was selected. This approach has been chosen as it allows to draw a sample which is representative of the white population in South Africa.

Next-Birthday-Method: Well, this is not a cheap commercial survey, but one which has to meet scientific standards. Therefore it is necessary that every person in your household has the same chance to be interviewed. If we just interviewed that person who answers the phone, we are likely to get particular people in the household such as elderly people and housewives. The next-birthday question ensures that we survey a cross-section of people.

Motivation Enhancing: Well, we would very much appreciate your participation. We think it is very important that the opinions of white people are heard in the New South Africa. We are very interested in your views.

Phone No. Centre: 011 / 403 - 5650

Part 1: Feelings Towards the New Democratic South Africa
(DSA-SCALE: Q6, Q4, Q7, Q1, Q3, Q18)

Q6: In 1994 South Africa got a new national flag. Would you say you are very happy, moderately happy or not happy at all with the new national banner?
[1] very happy [2] moderately happy [3] not happy at all	[8] don't know [9] refusal
Q4. You hear often people speaking about reconciliation in these days. How well has the president done in reconciling the different population groups in South Africa. Would you say president Mandela has done very well, well, fairly or poorly to bring about reconciliation?
[1] very well [2] well	[3] fairly [4] poorly	[8] don't know [9] refusal
Q2: If you look at your own situation since the 1994 national elections. Would you say you economic situation has improved, stayed the same or got worse?
[1] improved [2] stayed the same [3] got worse	[8] don't know [9] refusal
Q8A: Would you say you are very interested, moderately interested or not interested at all in politics?
[1] very interested [2] moderately interested [3] not interested at all	[8] don't know [9] refusal
Q3: How happy are you with the new political system in South Africa in general? Are you rather very happy, quite happy, not very happy or not happy at all?
[1] very happy [2] quite happy [3] not very happy [4] not happy at all	[8] don't know [9] refusal
Q7: Are you proud to be a member of the South African rainbow nation? Would you say you are very proud, quite proud, not very proud or not proud at all?
[1] very proud [2] quite proud	[3] not very proud [4] not proud at all	[8] don't know [9] refusal
Q36: What is your home language? (Do you speak Afrikaans or English?)
[1] Afrikaans	[2] English	[3] Other
Q8: Would you say you are very proud, quite proud, not very proud or not proud at all to be an
	Afrikaner? English-speaking white South African? Portuguese- "    "    "    "    ?
[1] very proud [2] quite proud	[3] not very proud [4] not proud at all	[8] don't know [9] refusal
Q1: People have different views about the changes in South Africa. Do you believe that South Africa is moving in the right or wrong direction?
[1] right direction [2] wrong direction	[8] don't know [9] refusal

EQUALITY-SCALE (Q5)

Several policies have been suggested to reduce the inequalities between the different population groups in South Africa. Could you please tell me whether you would rather support, accept, reject or strongly reject the specific policy.
	support	accept	reject	strongly reject	don't know
Q5a) Opening of white schools to black students	1	2	3	4	8
Q5b) Giving farm land to blacks against a modest compensation by the government.	1	2	3	4	8
Q5c) Preferential employment of qualified blacks in the public service to make it representative of all South Africans.	1	2	3	4	8

Q9: How do you feel about an area in which white South Africans may enjoy self-determination? Do you support the idea of a Volksstaat?

If Yes: Well, Would you consider moving there?

If No or Don't Know: Enter [3]
If Yes: Would you move there even if the standard of living dropped?

[1] yes [2] not move, if dropped or don't know

If No: Enter [4] don't support it.
If Don't Know: Enter [8]

Part 2: Subtle Racism-Scale (Q10 & Q11)

Q10: Some people are chatting about the new South Africa. Could you please listen to their statements and say to me whether you would rather strongly agree, largely agree, disagree or strongly disagree.
	strongly agree	largely agree	disagree	strongly disagree	don't know
a) "I'm not really interested to have African friends."	1	2	3	4	8
b) "I do not mind, if blacks move into my residential area." (R)	1	2	3	4	8
c) "It is certainly best for all concerned that interracial marriages should not take place."*	1	2	3	4	8
d) "I do not mind whether I am treated by a white or black medical practitioner." (R)	1	2	3	4	8
e) "I do well understand why many white South Africans don't like blacks."	1	2	3	4	8
f) "Immigration of blacks to South Africa should not be allowed."	1	2	3	4	8
Q11: Here are some statements about the future of our country. Could you please say to me again whether you would rather strongly agree, largely agree, disagree or strongly disagree with each statement?
	strongly agree	largely agree	disagree	strongly disagree	don't know
a) Given the same education and opportunities, blacks should be able to perform as well as whites in any field. (R)*	1	2	3	4	8
b) It is crucial for the stable development of the country that whites retain economic control. *	1	2	3	4	8
c) Given favourable conditions it is quite possible that black majority rule could result in a stable, prosperous, and democratic South Africa.	1	2	3	4	8
d) Too much is being done for blacks at the expense of white people nowadays.*	1	2	3	4	8
(R)= item reverse scored, * = adopted from the Subtle Racism Scale of Duckitt (1991) with minor changes.

Q12: In 1992 the former government called for a referendum, to find out whether the white community supported a negotiated settlement for South Africa. Do you remember, if you voted?

If Yes: How did you vote? Did you support De Klerk in his efforts to reach a negotiated settlement or did you oppose?

[1] yes/support transition [2] no/against transition

[0] didn't vote [3] voted, but don't now

[8] don't know any more [9] refusal

Q13: If national elections were to take place today, which political party or movement would you support? Do Not Read Out!!!
[01] NP [02] CP [03] AVF [04] AWB [05] HNP [06] IFP	[07] DP [08] ANC [09] PAC [10] ACDP	[00] None/won't vote [88] don't know [99] refusal

Part 3: Democratic Values, Attitudes Towards Civil and Human Rights (HR-SCALE Q14 & Q15) (=MR-Skala)

Q 14: People have often different opinions how to behave in a society. Could you please tell me, whether you would rather strongly agree, largely agree, disagree or strongly disagree with the following statements.
	strongly agree	largely agree	disagree	strongly disagree	don't know
a) Every citizen has the right to hold a demonstration	1	2	3	4	8
b) In every democratic society certain conflicts must be resolved with violence. (R)	1	2	3	4	8
c) Women should actively participate in politics in the same way as men.	1	2	3	4	8
d) Every democratic party should be given the same chance to become the ruling party in an election contest.	1	2	3	4	8
e) The police should be allowed to use more frequently their guns to maintain the public order (R).	1	2	3	4	8
f) People of all races should have equal access to basic rights and freedoms.	1	2	3	4	8
g) There are times when detention of political prisoners may be necessary to maintain social order. (R)	1	2	3	4	8
(R ) = item reverse scored

 

Q15: Are you in favour of the death penalty or are you against it?
[1] in favour (R) [2] against it	[8] don't know [9] refusal

Part 4: Perception of Apartheid (Apartheid-Scale: Q17, Q18, Q16 without Q16g, Q25)

Q17: Would you say that the former political system was unjust as it excluded blacks from the voting in general elections or would you rather say that it wasn't so unjust because they were allowed to vote in their townships and homelands?

[1] was unjust [2] wasn't unjust

[8] don't know [9] refusal

Q18: Imagine there would be an attempt to reinstall apartheid. Would you do everything to prevent that happening, would you be unhappy but do nothing, or would you support the reinstallation of the former political system?

[1] would do everything [2] would be unhappy but do nothing [3] support reinstallation

[8] don't know [9] refusal

 

Q16: The opinions about the recent history of South Africa are often quite controversial. I will read out various views and I would like you to tell me whether you would rather strongly agree, largely agree, disagree or strongly disagree.
	strongly agree	largely agree	disagree	strongly disagree	don't know
a) Apartheid has done more harm than good to South Africa.	1	2	3	4	8
b) If the National Party had agreed to majority rule before 1990, communists would have taken over and we would have lost our freedom	1	2	3	4	8
c) The majority of white South Africans have always been in opposition to apartheid. (R)	1	2	3	4	8
d) Apartheid was merely a good idea but badly carried out. (R)	1	2	3	4	8
e) The long-time occupation of Namibia was an illegal act by former South African governments	1	2	3	4	8
f) Human rights violations in South Africa have always been exaggerated by foreign countries (R)	1	2	3	4	8
g) The white population is the victim of the changes since 1994. (not included in Scale)	1	2	3	4	8
h) We should admire white and black South Africans who joint the struggle against apartheid in the past.	1	2	3	4	8

Part 5: Perception of the Truth Commission and Attitudes Towards Dealing with the Past (TRC-SCALE: Q22 & Q27 without Q27g; Denial-Scale: Q34, Q30 & Q31)

Q19: Have you ever heard or read about a Truth and Reconciliation Commission?

[1] yes

[2] no go to Q21

[9] refusal

If Yes: Q20: Did you read about it in a newspaper or did you listen to a broadcast in radio or television?

[1] newspaper only [2] radio only [3] TV only

[4] in two types of media [5] in all three types of media

Q20A: Did you talk about the truth commission with friends or family members?

[1] yes
[2] no

Q21: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is currently investigating human rights violations that occurred between 1960 and 1993. Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree with the idea to investigate these political motivated crimes?

[1] Strongly agree [2] agree

[3] disagree [4] strongly disagree

[8] don't know [9] refusal

Q23: The Truth Commission may also grant amnesty to perpetrators of human rights violations. That means that these people won't be prosecuted in court or could be released from prison. Do you agree with the idea of granting amnesty for political motivated crimes committed in South Africa's past. Would you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree?

[1] strongly agree [2] agree

[3]disagree [4] strongly disagree

[8] don't know, maybe [9] refusal

Q24: What about those people, who have been involved in political crimes and do not confess before the Truth Commission. Should they still be prosecuted and punished?

[1] prosecuted and punished [2] not prosecuted and punished

[8] haven't thought about it, don't know [9] refusal

Q25: Is there a moral difference between somebody who committed an act as a freedom fighter in the struggle against apartheid and somebody who committed a crime in order to defend the former political system?

If No: Enter [2]
If Yes: Would you say violent resistance against apartheid was morally more justified? [1] Yes

If No Confirm: Am I right that the you would say that defending the former political system was more justified?

[1] Fighting against apartheid more justified [2] No difference [3] Defending apartheid more justified

[8] don't know [9] refusal

Q26: Human rights violations have been committed by those who defended apartheid and fought against it. According to your opinion: Should the Truth Commission only investigate crimes committed by one side, or should it look at all human rights violations committed by both sides?

If Only One Side: Well, do you feel that it should only investigate those crimes committed by the ANC and other liberation movements?
If No Confirm: Did I understand you correctly. You think that the Truth Commission should only investigate crimes in support of the former political system?

[1] Only crimes by ANC and other liberation movements [3] Only crimes in support of apartheid [2] crimes committed by both sides

[8] don't know [9] refusal

Q22: Do you think that most of the allegations made by victims before the Truth Commission are true, or do you think that these incidents are being exaggerated?

[1] most of the allegations are true [2] incidents are being exaggerated (R)

[8] don't know [9] refusal

Q34: Various claims have been made before the Truth Commission, who is responsible for the repression of black communities in the past. I will read out some groups who have been named and I wish you to say me whether you would say yes, they have been responsible for the repression of black communities in the past, or rather no, they haven't, that is more a unjustified claim.

a) Some people say that the security forces have been responsible for the repression of black communities in the past. Would you rather agree or disagree with that opinion?

[1] yes

[2] no

[8] don't know

b) Others say anti-apartheid activists and other 'troublemakers' in the black community have been responsible for the repression of black communities in the past. Would you …

[1] yes

[2] no

[8] don't know

c) Some people say that only a small group of senior security officers and politicians has been responsible. Would you …

[1] yes

[2] no

[8] don't know

d) Others say that the former National Party governments have been responsible. Would you …

[1] yes

[2] no

[8] don't know

e) And again others say that all those who supported the NP in the past have been responsible for the repression of black communities, at least to a certain degree. Would you …

[1] yes

[2] no

[8] don't know

Q27: I will read out some different opinions about the Truth Commission. Could you please again say me, whether you would rather strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree.
	strongly agree	agree	disagree	strongly disagree	don't know
a) The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is an ANC-inspired witch-hunt to discredit its enemies (R)	1	2	3	4	8
b) The Commission is an independent body investigating crimes irrespective of the political affiliation of victims and perpetrators.	1	2	3	4	8
c) The Commission won't be effective in bringing about reconciliation. (R)	1	2	3	4	8
d) The Truth Commission is necessary to ensure that human rights won't be violated in the same manner in the future.	1	2	3	4	8
e) The Commission is a waste of money. (R)	1	2	3	4	8
f) The Commission is needed to uncover the truth about human rights violations in the past.	1	2	3	4	8
g) The Commission won't be able to ensure that justice is done to the victims of human rights violations. (not included in TRC-Scale)	1	2	3	4	8
h) The Truth Commission will improve the image of South Africa internationally.	1	2	3	4	8

Q28: At the moment there is a discussion whether relatives of those people who have been murdered in the political conflict in the past should receive a monthly compensation of about 500 Rand from the government. Would you fully support, support, reject or strongly reject that?

[1] fully support [2] support

[3] reject [4] strongly reject

[8] don't know [9] refusal

Q29: The Truth Commission has heard many black people speaking about torture and mysterious deaths in police cells. Is this the first time you heard about these things?

If No: Would you say, you knew about these things, but didn't realise their extend or have you been more or less fully aware of what was going on?

[1] didn't know [2] did know, but not their extend [3] have been aware of what was happening

[8] don't know [9] refusal

Q30: A respondent told us previously in an interview that he is ashamed that South Africans have committed so many human rights violations against their fellow citizens during the days of National Party rule. Would you share this feeling?

[1] yes

[2] no

[8] don't know

Q31: From somebody else we heard:
"Not every white South African who supported the NP in the past must feel guilty. Nevertheless he should feel responsible and try to undo the damage inflicted to the black community so far as that is possible."
Would you rather support or reject this opinion?

[1] yes

[2] no

[8] don't know

Q32: An other person we interviewed told us:
"I think it is better to forget about the past and stop prosecuting people who committed crimes against anti-apartheid activists in the past."
Would you rather agree or disagree with this statement?

[1] agree GO TO Q35

[2] disagree

[8] don't know

Q33: If Agree/Support: Could you please listen to the reasons other people gave to us who share this opinion and say to me, whether you would rather support or reject the specific argument. The first argument is:

a) We should stop prosecuting people because members of the liberation movement committed themselves crimes and haven't been tried for that.

[1] support [2] reject

[8] don't know [9] refusal

b) We should forget about the past because we should rather concentrate on the future.

[1] support [2] reject

[8] don't know [9] refusal

c) We should stop prosecuting because those people were doing their duty to prevent a violent overthrow of the former government.

[1] support [2] reject

[8] don't know [9] refusal

d) We should stop prosecuting because the perpetrators have been victims of apartheid too.

[1] support [2] reject

[8] don't know [9] refusal

Personal Details

Before we finish the interview I have some few questions regarding yourself.

Q35: In which year have you been born? _ _ _ _ _

Q37: What is the highest educational level you have completed?

[1] up to Standard 8 (Form III, NTC I)
[2] Standard 9 (Form IV, NTC II)
[3] Standard 10 / Matric (Form V, NTC III)
[4] Post-Matric (BA, Honours Degree)
[5] Master's degree or doctor's degree (MA, PhD).
[9] refusal

Q38: What is your current occupation? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

[4] unemployed [5] student [6] housewife

[9] refusal [7] retired

Q39: Are you living in a big metropolitan area like Durban, small town, or in a rural area?

[1] metropolitan area
[2] small town
[3] rural area

Q41: Do you read a daily newspaper regularly, that is at least four out of six issues a weak?

[1] yes

[2] no

[8] don't know

[9] refusal

Q42: What is your (joint) income (both spouses) per month? (Gross income from all sources?) Is it more than 4.000 Rand?

If Yes: Do you earn (jointly) more or less than 7.000 Rand?

[1] more than R 7.000
[2] less than R 7.000

If No: Do you earn (jointly) more or less than 2.500 Rand?

[3] more than 2.500 Rand
[4] less than 2.500 Rand

This was the last question. In the name of our research team I want to thank you very much for your readiness to answer our questions. Have a nice day (afternoon, evening). Good bye.

Enter additional data:

Sex, Confirm if Necessary: [1] man

[2] women

Directory No. (Province): _ _
Data No.(see case No.): _ _

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