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:

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.

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.

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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