Approval of President Mbeki drops to its lowest level since 2002TNS Research Surveys, South Africa's leading marketing and social insights company, has conducted a series of surveys since 2000 that ascertain whether people feel the President is doing a good job as President of South Africa. These surveys are conducted amongst a sample of 2 000 SA adults from the seven major metropolitan areas of South Africa, interviewing them face-to-face in their homes, with a margin of error of under 2.5%. The latest reading was taken in June 2008. How does the President fare?The June 2008 reading shows a continued decline in the President's approval rating, from 37% in April to 32% in June, the sharpest drop since the September 2007 drop of 14 points.For three years - from 2000 to 2001 - the President's approval rating lay generally in the low 30s. But, from February 2003, the percentage of people who felt that President Mbeki is doing a good job as President began to rise. By the end of 2003, it was in the low 40s. 2004 saw a remarkable rise with the Ten Years of Democracy celebrations and the successful second democratic elections. 2005 scaled new heights for the President, during which his approval score averaged 61%, up three points from his 2004 average of 58%. In 2006, after the fourth consecutive fall (to 54% in February) from his high of 66% in April 2005, his approval rating staged a recovery back to 61% but had dropped to 54% by year end. This level was maintained until June 2007. The September reading showed a dramatic drop of 14 points to 40%, the lowest since April 2003.
Analysis by area shows that, in June 2008, support for the President was highest in East London (76%) and lowest in Durban and Cape Town. Red arrows below indicate significant drops since April.
Black males show the highest approval rating at 58%, with black females lower at 46%. Jacob Zuma's approval rating as President of the ANC also drops off markedly for those aged 50 years and over. Regional differences are notable, with the Eastern and Western Cape showing exceptionally low approval figures, and Durban and the inland areas showing the highest. However, 46% of people do not approve of either man, 15% approve of both, 17% only approve of the Mr Mbeki and 22% only approve of Mr Zuma. Total metro SA - 37% approve (36% approved in both April and February)
Jacob Zuma's approval rating showed some differences by black language groups: -> Zulu speakers - 63% (64% in both April and February) Our take-outThe President's approval rating as President of South Africa dropped sharply to 32% in the June 2008 reading, reaching its lowest level since mid-2002. This fall has been across all race groups with the Eastern Cape and Pretoria being the only areas to show any resilience. Jacob Zuma's approval rating as President of the ANC is also still quite low but the proportion of people sitting on the fence is beginning to drop. Approval levels are low for whites (who, after a period of warming towards him, have begun to see him in a more negative light), as well as for coloureds and Indians/Asians. A half of blacks gave a positive response, with a quarter each either being negative or giving a “don't know” response. The two Cape provinces show the lowest approval levels. As the President's approval rating continues to fall, it is clear that, as yet, Jacob Zuma's rating is not yet rising to fill what may be becoming a perceived leadership vacuum: 46% approve of neither man. Technical noteThe studies were conducted amongst a sample of 2 000 adults (1260 blacks, 385 whites, 240 coloureds and 115 Indians/Asians) in the seven major metropolitan areas: they have a margin of error of under 2.5% for the results found for the total sample. The studies were conducted by TNS Research Surveys (Pty) Ltd as part of their ongoing research into current social and political issues and were funded by TNS Research Surveys. For more details, please contact Neil Higgs on 011-778-7500 or 082-376-6312. About TNSTNS is a global market information and insight group. Its strategic goal is to be recognised as the global leader in delivering value-added information and insights that help its clients make more effective business decisions. TNS delivers innovative thinking and excellent service across a network of 80 countries. Working in partnership with clients, TNS provides high-quality information, analysis and insight that improves understanding of consumer behaviour. TNS is the world's leading provider of customised services, combining sector knowledge with expertise in the areas of Product Development & Innovation, Brand & Communications, Stakeholder Management, Retail & Shopper and Customer Intelligence. TNS is a major supplier of consumer panel, media intelligence and audience measurement services. TNS is the sixth sense of business™.
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