POLITICS

South Africans feel job creation most pressing need - TNS

54% of metro adults also think supply of water will become a big problem

South Africans feel very strongly that job creation is the most pressing need

Ninety percent of metro adults feel that the most pressing need in South Africa is job creation, 77% feel that it is housing, whereas a much smaller 54% feel that the water supply will become a big problem in future. This is according to a new study released today by TNS Research Surveys, South Africa's leading marketing and social insights company. The study was conducted in the beginning of 2011 and asked people to agree or disagree with the following statements:

  • The supply of water in South Africa will become a big problem
  • The most pressing need in South Africa is job creation
  • The most pressing need in South Africa is for houses

The study was 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 South African government released its New Growth Path Framework at the end of 2010, introducing to the public policy aimed at "enhancing growth, employment creation, and equity". According to the Minister of Economic Development, Mr Ebrahim Patel, the policy's principal target is to create five million jobs over the next ten years. The Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan, expanded on this in his National Budget Speech of 2011 by adding that Government is taking steps to ensure that the growth path is more inclusive and includes increased investment in housing, and residential infrastructure and services. In addition, investment in infrastructure is planned over the next three years. Building of power plants, ports, pipelines, roads, water and sanitation infrastructure that the country needs is central to economic growth and will contribute significantly to job creation.

How do different demographic groups feel?

There are many different opinions across the demographic groups as shown below. In response to the above statements:

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

The supply of water in South Africa will become a big problem

The most pressing need in South Africa is job creation

The most pressing need in South Africa is for houses

 

 

Agree

 

54

90

77

Race

Black

 

48

91

83

 

 

Male

 

48

 

95

 

85

 

 

Female

 

47

 

87

 

80

 

White

 

67

85

51

 

 

Male

 

65

 

88

 

53

 

 

Female

 

68

 

81

 

50

 

Coloured

 

65

95

84

 

 

Male

 

68

 

94

 

85

 

 

Female

 

62

 

96

 

83

 

Indian/Asian

 

62

93

83

 

 

Male

 

59

 

96

 

89

 

 

Female

 

64

 

90

 

79

 

Disagree

 

24

6

17

 

Don't know

 

22

3

6

This table shows that all race groups agree to a very similar extent that the most pressing need is for jobs.  Thereafter, perceived priorities diverge somewhat with blacks, coloureds and Indians/Asians feeling the need for houses is a close second to the need for jobs.  For whites, the water problem ranked second with a majority still feeling the need for housing.  Gender differences are quite small.

The table below shows that the need for job creation is almost universally perceived as the top issue by all demographic groups.  The housing shortage is felt more acutely by younger people and by those, not surprisingly, living in informal dwellings and in smaller dwellings (mostly middle income people), where the need for better housing equals that of the need for employment.  The water supply problem is perceived to be greater by older people.

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

The supply of water in South Africa will become a big problem

The most pressing need in South Africa is job creation

The most pressing need in South Africa is for houses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age

18 - 24 years

 

51

91

84

 

25 - 34 years

 

49

90

77

 

35 - 49 years

 

56

89

71

 

50 - 59 years

 

65

93

73

 

60+ years

 

63

93

78

Type of dwelling

House

 

53

90

74

 

Cluster

 

39

100

71

 

Town House

 

75

92

77

 

Flat

 

65

93

82

 

Matchbox / improved matchbox

 

66

91

86

 

Room in backyard

 

28

78

84

 

Squatter hut / shack

 

52

94

86

Language

English

 

61

91

69

 

Afrikaans

 

69

88

66

 

Zulu

 

50

92

89

 

Xhosa

 

61

92

82

 

N. /S. Sotho

 

40

84

70

 

Tswana / other

 

33

85

84

Differences by area

It is necessary to look at results by region, as there are divergent perceptions on the different needs in particular regions.

The table overleaf shows that job creation is seen as less of a priority by those living in the Vaal Triangle/South Rand area, as well as those living in Bloemfontein.  However, those living in Durban almost all agree that this is a pressing need.

Housing is seen to be a particular priority also by those in Durban but hardly at all by those in Bloemfontein.  Those living in the South Rand/Vaal Triangle, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria also rated this issue lower than average.

The water issue is seen by more than average as a problem in Cape Town and the Eastern Cape, not surprisingly given the water situation in these areas.  However, probably partly because of the good rains in Gauteng, this is seen as less of an issue there

Our take out

It is clear that, in broad terms, Government's New Growth Framework is in line with what South Africans feel is the most pressing need: job creation.  However, the need for houses is also perceived to be high.  The water issue is seen in a very different light in different areas, due, no doubt, in part to the type of rainy season different areas have had.  It may be more difficult to emphasise as an issue in some areas than in others.  Given that South Africa's water supply is indeed under threat, this misperception is potentially serious.

 

 

 

%

 

 

 

The supply of water in South Africa will become a big problem

The most pressing need in South Africa is job creation

The most pressing need in South Africa is for houses

 

Gauteng

 

 

45

89

75

 

Greater Johannesburg

 

44

90

77

 

 

Johannesburg excl Soweto

48

91

77

 

 

East Rand

46

93

82

 

 

West Rand

55

95

79

 

 

Soweto

40

92

77

 

Vaal Triangle/South Rand

 

23

72

60

 

Pretoria

 

51

86

69

Cape Town

 

 

66

91

78

Durban

 

 

60

96

90

Eastern Cape

 

 

73

87

71

 

Port Elizabeth

 

75

90

68

 

East London

 

69

80

76

Bloemfontein

 

 

58

68

23

Technical note

The study was conducted amongst 2 000 adults (1260 blacks, 385 whites, 240 coloureds, and 115 Indians/Asians) in the seven major metropolitan areas: it has a margin of error of under 2.5% for the results found for the total sample. The studies use probability sampling techniques and are fully representative of the major metropolitan areas. The study was conducted by TNS Research Surveys (Pty) Ltd as part of their ongoing research into current social and political issues and was funded by TNS Research

About TNS

TNS is the global leader in custom market research delivering actionable insights and research-based business advice to clients around the globe so they can make more effective business decisions. TNS offers comprehensive industry knowledge within the Consumer, Technology, Finance, Automotive and Political & Social sectors, supported by a unique product offering that stretches across the entire range of marketing and business issues, specializing in product development & innovation, brand & communication, stakeholder management, retail & shopper, and qualitative research. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 80 countries, TNS is dedicated to discovering growth opportunities for its clients in an ever-changing world.  Through its pioneering and innovative culture, TNS understands the latest marketing challenges and research techniques, being the first to discover and solve new marketing issues for clients.

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Issued by Annette Grobler TNS Research Surveys, Research Executive, April 5 2011

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