Press Release

Confidence in 2010 preparations on the increase

BRYANSTON - Overall public confidence in South Africa’s readiness to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup is marginally up from 2006 says market research company, African Response. 70% of South Africans believe we will be ready.

"This is very encouraging to see," states Anina Maree, Director at African Response. "The African Response 2010 Barometer was initiated to track public perception and we believe that by tracking these beliefs, organisers and other stakeholders will be able to address the concerns of the public and ensure the support of the entire country in this massive project."

Looking closely at overall scores, it appears that Joburgers are significantly more optimistic about our ability to host the World Cup by the time it rolls around in 2010. Capetonians only record a 60% confidence level compared to 76% in Johannesburg. Lower income groups also appear to be more positive than other income groups.

Bafana Bafana have apparently made a good impression on the South African public in the last three months, as confidence in our local team has risen from 44% in 2006 to 52% in 2007. Respondents have also indicated a higher propensity to watch some of the World Cup games on television.

Less respondents now intend to actually attend one of the games live. This has dropped from 61% in 2006 to 54% in the first wave of 2007.

Graph One

A heartwarming result from the 2010 African Response Barometer is that the majority of respondents (85%) believe that South Africa will benefit from the 2010 World Cup. In addition, almost four out of five respondents believe that the World Cup is important to them personally.

Although overall levels of confidence are high, some areas for improvement have been highlighted from the survey.

Electricity Demand. There has been a notable decline in the confidence that South Africa will be able to meet the electricity demands of the 2010 World Cup. This has dropped to only 52% (from 69% last year) of respondents agreeing that electricity supply will be sufficient. This is very possibly due to the recent power cuts affecting many areas across the country. Confidence is lowest in Cape Town (43%)

Confidence in South Africa’s Security and Policing has declined since 2006 and the results indicate a real concern from respondents in Pretoria and Cape Town. Overall confidence in our policing and security stands at 55% - down from 62% in 2006.

Residents of our major metropolitan areas have also demonstrated a decreased optimism in whether the Accommodation available in South Africa will be sufficient to meet the demands of the visitors expected in 2010. The percentage of respondents who agree that it will be ready has dropped to 77% from 84% in 2006. This sentiment is especially pronounced in Pretoria.

In a topical question about communication only asked to those respondents interviewed in June, over half of the respondents feel that they are not receiving enough information on the progress made with regards to preparations for the 2010 World Cup.

Graph Two

"While overall confidence is up, there are obvious areas which South Africans believe could be improved on," concludes Maree. "However, as 2010 nears, and developments become visible to the public these scores are sure to rise as excitement builds."

Some other findings

70% of those interviewed believed that South African airports will be equipped for the 2010 world cup.

59% of respondents have faith that public transport will be sufficient to carry soccer fans around the country during the tournament.

Optimism levels were the highest for restaurants, 85% believed they would be ready for 2010.

More than half of the respondents interviewed indicated that they liked the logo

Respondents from Pretoria (50%) and Cape Town are least optimistic that our stadiums will be ready on time. 76% of Johannesburg residents believe that they will be.

About the African Response 2010 Barometer

1200 respondents in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria were interviewed over April, May and June in 2007. The results quoted in the latest African Response report and this press release represent overall averages from these three months to make up Wave 1 2007 results. Scores from 2006 represent results from 751 respondents interviewed over whole of last year.

A more detailed report including information by region, age, gender, respondents’ likelihood to attend matches and income levels is available from African Response. Please contact Kate Slade on 011 709 7888 should you require these reports.

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About African Response

African Response is the most empowered, black owned, black managed research agency in South Africa. Established in an equity relationship with Synovate we offer a full complement of research skills.

African Response prides itself upon an exceptional ability to understand and interpret the needs of the South African black urban and rural consumer. We offer clients customized qualitative and quantitative research, innovative ideas and practical solutions. African Response's vision is to significantly improve clients' business performance and to achieve excellence through utilization of the wide knowledge and experience of our partners.