Migration into Rustenburg Local Municipality between 1996 and 2001

Abstract

The paper examines the pattern and nature of migration into the Rustenburg area in the North West Province, South Africa. It is important to gain an understanding of the processes of internal migration within South Africa in general and Rustenburg in particular, because migration is an intrinsic element of the development process, which may generate benefits or problems for host and sending areas. Rustenburg is the largest producer of platinum in the world. Previous studies show that movement has been occurring between other places and Rustenburg villages and townships around the mines have been the main receiving areas. People migrate to Rustenburg because they are attracted by the rapidly growing mining and tourism activities in the area. Using migration figures from the 1996 and 2001 censuses into Rustenburg based on usual and previous place of residence, the study established that the majority of the migrants are from within the province. The circulation of workers between their tribal areas and commercial/industrial enterprises is a familiar phenomenon. The study recommends that in order to reduce negative impacts of migration such as social, political, economic and health challenges, factors that trigger migration ought to be addressed.

Keywords: Migration, tribal, industries, South Africa, mining. Rustenburg.