South African Blacks More Optimistic About Future Than Whites, Poll Shows

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Blacks are more optimistic about South Africa’s future than whites as a result of President Frederik W. de Klerk’s racial reforms, according to an independent poll released Thursday.

The Markinor Gallup poll, conducted in May, also said 43% of blacks questioned said De Klerk was leading the country very well but only 27% of whites agreed. Only 4% of blacks had no confidence in De Klerk’s leadership, while 14% of whites said they had no confidence.

The poll also showed more than 50% of blacks believe the relationship between blacks and whites is improving, while only 31% of whites think so. Just 21% of blacks believe the relationship is deteriorating, compared to 46% of whites, according to the poll, based on nationwide interviews with 1,500 blacks and 800 whites.