Johannesburg - South Africans' confidence in the country's ability to host a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup has increased, with Johannesburg residents showing the highest increase in optimism.
Market research company, African Response recently have announced the results of their 2010 Barometer in which 1 199 respondents representing South Africa's vastly diverse population were interviewed.
The company asked respondent questions on government's preparations towards hosting the event including issues such as the public transport system, tourism, world cup logos, security and electricity capacity.
A number of world cup associated opinions have been measured since March 2006, in order to provide insight into the awareness and attitudes of South Africans.
In general the results reflected that South African's confidence had increased by 6 percent in November 2007 to 76 percent.
South Africans' perception on whether the public transport system will be ready by the year 2010 ahead of the world's most watched sporting event recorded its highest ever increase, jumping from 59 percent, first measured in March 2006, to 67 percent in November 2007.
Respondents in Johannesburg showed the highest increase in optimism from 66 percent to 78 percent, which, according to African Response, could be attributed to visible progress on the Gautrain.
Following the trend, Cape Town showed the second highest increase in confidence, rising from 45 percent to 56 percent by November 2007.
Construction of the Gautrain is being done simultaneously to upgrades to all major freeways around the country and at least 70 percent of South Africans feel these upgrades will be completed in time to meet the influx of tourists and travellers for the world cup and beyond.
Johannesburg showed the highest confidence rating of 79 percent, recording a 16 percent increase since the last measurement.
Overall confidence in having South Africa's airports ready for the world cup similarly increased from 71 percent to 77 percent, and was led by Johannesburg with 82 percent, followed by Durban with 77 percent.
A significant issue currently is that of power utility Eskom's lack of infrastructure and capacity to meet the current electricity demands.
The recent load shedding has resulted in a loss of confidence among South Africans that Eskom will be able to deal with electricity demands increased only slightly by five percentage points to 57 percent.
This is despite the fact that all stadia will have backup generators in the event of a loss of power.
Overall confidence in policing and security for the world cup has increased by seven percent to 62 percent.
South Africa already boasts an impressive record in its ability to manage security for high-level events which include the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002, the 1998 Non-Aligned Movement Summit, 1995 Rugby World Cup, the African Cup of Nations in 1996, All Africa Games in 1999, Cricket World Cup 2003 and the recent T20 World Cup 2007.
In terms of spectatorship at the world cup matches, the number of people who said they would be attending at least one match increased notably amongst the higher income groups from 40 percent to 54 percent in the last month too.
Ethnic spectatorship at stadiums also showed some interesting results in the latest combined report, said African Response.
An increase in likeliness to attend any of the world cup matches was found for black spectators to have increased from 75 percent to 81 percent. White spectators also increases slightly from 14 to 20 percent, whilst coloured spectatorship decreased by 6 percent.
Perhaps a trivial question, yet one which can have a major impact on how South African's identify with the prestigious sporting event, is the issue of the official world cup logo.
African Response said it was clear the public was growing to like the world cup logo as 64 percent of South Africans indicated their approval, compared to the previous quarters rating of 55 percent.
Market research company, African Response recently have announced the results of their 2010 Barometer in which 1 199 respondents representing South Africa's vastly diverse population were interviewed.
The company asked respondent questions on government's preparations towards hosting the event including issues such as the public transport system, tourism, world cup logos, security and electricity capacity.
A number of world cup associated opinions have been measured since March 2006, in order to provide insight into the awareness and attitudes of South Africans.
In general the results reflected that South African's confidence had increased by 6 percent in November 2007 to 76 percent.
South Africans' perception on whether the public transport system will be ready by the year 2010 ahead of the world's most watched sporting event recorded its highest ever increase, jumping from 59 percent, first measured in March 2006, to 67 percent in November 2007.
Respondents in Johannesburg showed the highest increase in optimism from 66 percent to 78 percent, which, according to African Response, could be attributed to visible progress on the Gautrain.
Following the trend, Cape Town showed the second highest increase in confidence, rising from 45 percent to 56 percent by November 2007.
Construction of the Gautrain is being done simultaneously to upgrades to all major freeways around the country and at least 70 percent of South Africans feel these upgrades will be completed in time to meet the influx of tourists and travellers for the world cup and beyond.
Johannesburg showed the highest confidence rating of 79 percent, recording a 16 percent increase since the last measurement.
Overall confidence in having South Africa's airports ready for the world cup similarly increased from 71 percent to 77 percent, and was led by Johannesburg with 82 percent, followed by Durban with 77 percent.
A significant issue currently is that of power utility Eskom's lack of infrastructure and capacity to meet the current electricity demands.
The recent load shedding has resulted in a loss of confidence among South Africans that Eskom will be able to deal with electricity demands increased only slightly by five percentage points to 57 percent.
This is despite the fact that all stadia will have backup generators in the event of a loss of power.
Overall confidence in policing and security for the world cup has increased by seven percent to 62 percent.
South Africa already boasts an impressive record in its ability to manage security for high-level events which include the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002, the 1998 Non-Aligned Movement Summit, 1995 Rugby World Cup, the African Cup of Nations in 1996, All Africa Games in 1999, Cricket World Cup 2003 and the recent T20 World Cup 2007.
In terms of spectatorship at the world cup matches, the number of people who said they would be attending at least one match increased notably amongst the higher income groups from 40 percent to 54 percent in the last month too.
Ethnic spectatorship at stadiums also showed some interesting results in the latest combined report, said African Response.
An increase in likeliness to attend any of the world cup matches was found for black spectators to have increased from 75 percent to 81 percent. White spectators also increases slightly from 14 to 20 percent, whilst coloured spectatorship decreased by 6 percent.
Perhaps a trivial question, yet one which can have a major impact on how South African's identify with the prestigious sporting event, is the issue of the official world cup logo.
African Response said it was clear the public was growing to like the world cup logo as 64 percent of South Africans indicated their approval, compared to the previous quarters rating of 55 percent.
- BuaNews
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