NGCOBO J Policymakers have the expertise necessary to present a reasonable prediction about future social conditions. That is precisely the kind of work that policymakers are supposed to do. Unless there is evidence to the contrary, courts should be slow to reject reasonable estimates made by policymakers. [129] The fact that the increase is not huge is not relevant. The fact of the matter is that there will be an increase; how huge that increase will be, will be determined by an increase in the number of permanent residents. What makes it difficult to predict the number of persons who might qualify, is that there is no clear information about the number of people who might qualify under a more generous immigration regime. And if there is merit in the possibility that the state could become a magnet for new immigrants seeking permanent resident status, estimating the likely size of the pool of grant applicants and an accurate estimate of the financial burden would be even more arduous a task. [130] There is a further reason which is implicit in the reasons advanced by the state. The state’s policy encourages the naturalisation process. As pointed out earlier, temporary and permanent resident status are both precursors to the full commitment of citizenship.21 By crafting the benefits rule so that only citizens qualify, the statute provides a legitimate incentive for an alien to become a citizen. The unequivocal declaration of loyalty and commitment that 21 In terms of section 26 of the Immigration Act, a holder of a work permit who has a permanent offer for employment may be issued with a permanent residence permit. In terms of section 5 of the South African Citizenship Act, a permanent resident qualifies for citizenship after five years. 79