KwaZulu-Natal - State of the Province Report February 2010

Unlike the Western Cape and Gauteng which have both experienced instability and turmoil within the provincial leadership of leading parties within the respective provinces over the past two years, KwaZulu-Natal, despite massive socio-economic challenges, seems to be on a much more even keel in terms of political leadership in the province.  

"Traditionally this province has been highly volatile politically due to fierce competition between the ANC and IFP. This is no longer the case as multi-partyism seems to have taken root and co-operation between the ANC and IFP has engendered a new dawn for KwaZulu-Natal politics. Supporters from across the political party spectrum seem to be satisfied with the Provincial Government and the Premier, hopefully signalling an era of political stability for the citizens of KwaZulu-Natal," said Helen Macdonald, a political analyst at Ipsos Markinor.

Summary of findings:

• On the whole, citizens of KwaZulu Natal are very positive about their Provincial Government and Premier.
• Approval ratings for the Premier and the Provincial Government are positive amongst ANC and IFP supporters and are improving amongst DA supporters.

The above are selected results from a nationally representative study conducted by Ipsos Markinor in November 2009.  The sample is 3 374 adults of 18 years and older, the coverage is national and the margin of error is between 0.7 and 1.7%.  The sample accurately mirrors the South African population.

Performance of the Premier

Performance ratings for the Premier of KwaZulu Natal have remained high prior to and after the 2009 election. Premier S'bu Ndebele finished his term (2004 - 2009) on a positive note in terms of public opinion in the province - 71% of citizens of KwaZulu Natal agreed that he was performing well. His departure for the cabinet (Minister of Transport) however caused some controversy when it came to light that he had been given a Mercedes Benz as a gift from a consortium of contractors, Vukuzakhe, who had been awarded lucrative contracts in the province.

This grey cloud did not seem to dampen public perceptions of the Office of the Premier and his successor, Zweli Mkhize, has enjoyed similarly high levels of public approval. ANC supporters are particularly positive about the job performance of the Premier followed by IFP supporters. Predictably, DA supporters are less positive, but have shown a dramatic increase in support for the Premier following Ndebele's departure and his replacement by Zweli Mkhize. The latter seems to have been able to bridge the political party divide in the province and garner significant levels of support from all major parties.

Performance of Provincial Government

Performance ratings of the Provincial Government have also improved slightly since Mkhize became Premier in May 2009. A majority of the citizens of KwaZulu Natal (70%) agree that the Provincial Government is performing well. The KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government has support from across the political party spectrum and DA supporters have particularly become more positive since Ndebele's departure. Half of DA supporters in the province agree that the Provincial Government is performing well.

Performance of Premier and Provincial Government November 2009

e The KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government and Office of the Premier receives one of the highest ratings in the country. 70% of the citizens of the province believe that the Provincial Government and the Premier are performing well. The only other province to achieve something similar is the Free State. Sample sizes in the Northern Cape are very small so those results need to be read with caution (each province is rated by its own citizens).

Statement issued by Ipsos-Markinor, February 19 2010

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter