Press Release

Optimism in SA’s readiness to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup on the rise

BRYANSTON – South African confidence in our ability to be ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is on the increase. 76% of South Africans believe that we will be ready – up 6% from the last reading, according to market research company African Response.

The results of the African Response 2010 Barometer for November 2007 reflect the views of 1199 respondents representative of the South African population. African Response’s 2010 Barometer has been measured since March 2006 in order to provide insight in to the awareness and opinions of South Africans on the subject of South Africa’s preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Graph One

Seeing its highest increase of 59% to 67% since first being measured in March 2006, South Africans across all cities are consistently confident that the public transport system will be ready by 2010. Respondents in Johannesburg showed the highest increase in optimism (66% to 78%) which could be related to the visibility of the Gautrain’s progress. Following the trend, Cape Town showed the second highest increase in confidence, rising from 45% to 56% between this measurement and the last.

70% of South Africans feel that South African roads will be ready to meet the expectations of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Once again, Johannesburg leads the way showing the highest confidence rating of 79%. This is a 16% increase from the last measurements reading. This could be due to increasing visible preparations being undergone throughout the country.

Overall confidence in the South Africa’s airports being ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup increased from 71% to 77%. Johannesburg respondents are most confident that the airports will be ready (82%) and Durban respondents showed the highest increase in confidence since the last measurement (67% to 77%).

Moving on to South Africa’s ability to deal with the electricity demands, confidence increased slightly from 52% to 57%. Johannesburg residents expressed the highest increase as confidence levels reached 70% this quarter, which is a notable 16% increase from the last measurement.

South African policing and security services have been undergoing a lot of preparation ahead of 2010 which has clearly been noticed by the public. Overall confidence in policing and security for the 2010 FIFA World Cup also increased across all regions as figures rose from a confidence level of 55% to 62% between this measurement and the last.

Are border formalities a concern?

In the topical question for October, African Response asked South Africans to express their opinion on the relaxation of border formalities in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

51% of South Africans disagreed that border formalities should be relaxed to ensure that the passage of travelers through border posts will be swift and trouble free. 37% believed that border free formalities should be relaxed.

The topical question was derived from the news that Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique are hoping to play a role in the 2010 FIFA World Cup by offering "border free" tourism packages to World Cup visitors.

Spectatorship

During the last two years, the number of South Africans who have personally attended sports matches or sporting events has increased. This increase is most evident amongst higher income earners (those earning between R10 000 and R30 000) who showed an increase from the last measurement of 52% to 67% in the latest report.

Looking more specifically at those who have personally attended a soccer match in the last two years, overall results have also increased slightly. These increases in personal spectatorship could possibly be related to the growing anticipation of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Graph Two

South Africans across most regions proved to be more likely to attend any of the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches compared the last reporting period with Pretoria respondents being the only exception.

Graph Three

The number of respondents saying they are likely to attend increased most notably amongst the higher income groups from 40% to 54% since the previous measurement. Ethnic spectatorship at stadiums also showed some interesting results in the latest combined report. An increase in likeliness to attend any of the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches was found for Black spectators (75% to 81%) as well as for White spectators (14% to 20%). Coloured spectatorship on the other hand showed less enthusiasm with a decline of 6%.

Overall, the possibility of South Africans viewing the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer matches on television has remained stable at 86%. Looking at the provinces individually, Capetonians were the only ones who saw a decline here, dropping from 92% to 87% between this measurement and the last.

Graph Four

What are South Africans thoughts on Bafana Bafana being prepared for the 2010 FIFA World Cup?

The latest Barometer reading shows that confidence has increased by 4% to reach a level of 56% this quarter. The only province which showed a decrease in confidence was Durban, dropping from 61% to 56% between this measurement and the last.

Graph Five

What about the 2010 FIFA World Cup logo?

It is clear that the public are growing to like the 2010 FIFA World Cup logo as 64% of South Africans indicated their approval, compared to the previous quarters rating of 55%.

About the African Response 2010 Barometer:

November’s results represent the views of 1199 respondents interviewed in major metropolitan areas (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban) during July to September this year. The results of African Response’s 2010 Barometer represent overall averages from these three months to make up Wave 2 of 2007.

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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.

More information can be found at www.africanresponse.co.za