This article draws from GeoPoll’s May 2021 report on the ongoing economic, social, and health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as vaccine perceptions from a survey we conducted in Côte D’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa in March/April 2021. You can access the interactive result dashboard and download the report for free here.

In this article, we will focus on the economic impact of the pandemic, particularly how personal and household incomes have changed, how consumer spending habits have shifted, and the financial outlook for the next couple of months.

Incomes Have Decreased

The coronavirus pandemic has seen many industries suffer the brunt of a forced change in lifestyle as governments imposed measures to cut the spread of the disease. Many businesses closed down or reduced capacities, leading to income and job losses for many people.

The World Bank, in its biannual economic analysis for the region in March 2021, projects sub-Saharan Africa will see moderate economic growth this year, rebounding from the COVID-19 induced recession of 2020. However, the resurgence of the pandemic is dampening those projections, and many are at risk of suffering further setbacks to their personal finances and living standards.

In GeoPoll’s previous study on the ongoing impact of COVID-19 from November 2020, 79% of respondents stated their income had decreased since June 2020. Our current study shows that downward trend continuing with 64% saying their income has decreased since January 2021. The largest segment (42%) say it has decreased a lot.

In Kenya, the recent resurgence of the pandemic and renewal of government restrictions around the time the survey ran appears to have had a severe economic impact, with 79% of respondents in the country reporting a decrease in income. Young people in Kenya appear to be particularly affected, with 66% of respondents ages 15-25 saying their income has decreased a lot. Only 10% of respondents across countries said their income has increased even a bit.

Consumer Spending Changed

Spending on food and other necessities has fluctuated significantly since the start of 2021. When asked to compare their current spending on food and other necessities to three months ago, most respondents choose the extremes, saying it either decreased a lot (27%) or increased a lot (24%). Only 12% of respondents say it has not changed.

Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 18.17% in March 2021, hitting a 4-year peak due to the impacts of COVID-19. Food inflation in particular rose to 22.95%, putting even more pressure on households faced with rising unemployment and shrinking incomes. In our study, 68% of respondents in Nigeria stated that their spending on food and other necessities has increased since January 2021. Almost half (47%) say it has increased a lot.

The overwhelming reason why respondents across countries say their spending on food and other necessities has decreased is that they have less money (76%). For respondents that stated their spending on food and other necessities has increased, 85% claim the increase is because prices have gone up. In Nigeria, that number rises to 94%.

With 64% of respondents saying their income has decreased since January 2021, it is understandable that 60% of respondents say their spending on non-essential items has also decreased. In Kenya, where 79% of respondents experienced a decrease in income, 51% say their spending on non-essential items has decreased a lot. It is likely a matter of prioritizing essentials such as food over non-essentials such as fashion items.

Most respondents across countries (65%) say the reason why their spending on non-essential items has decreased is because they have less money. Almost 18% say it is because they are spending more elsewhere – likely on food and essentials. Of the relatively few respondents that say their spending on non-essential items has increased, 77% attribute the increase to a rise in prices. In Nigeria, 90% attribute it to a rise in prices.

How the Near Future Looks Financially

The prevalent drop or stagnation in income in sub-Saharan Africa has understandably impacted consumer finances and spending.

Across countries, most respondents (53%) say they are extremely concerned about paying expenses in the next three months.

The level of concern is particularly high in Mozambique with 70% of respondents saying they are extremely concerned, in line with World Bank’s assessment that a sizeable number of Mozambicans could fall back into poverty as a result of the pandemic. Conversely, in the Democratic Republic of Congo almost half (46%) of respondents say they are not concerned at all about paying expenses. That is 12% higher than Côte D’Ivoire and more than double the other four countries included in this study.

Looking ahead, respondents have polarized views about their financial future. When asked to rate their optimism about their financial situation improvising in the next three months, 37% are not at all optimistic and 35% are extremely optimistic. Respondents ages 26-35 are slightly more optimistic than the other age groups with 38% saying they are extremely optimistic. Women are more likely to be extremely optimistic than men (38% to 32%).

Nigeria stands out as having the brightest outlook for the future. Despite the tumultuous first few months of 2021, 46% of respondents in Nigeria are extremely optimistic about their financial situation improving in the next 3 months. Respondents in the Democratic Republic of Congo are the most skeptical, with only 27% extremely optimistic and 54% not at all optimistic. According to the United Nations, one-third of the DRC’s population is currently facing acute hunger due to conflict and the economic impacts of COVID-19, providing possible context for that skepticism.

About This Survey

This study was implemented by GeoPoll using our own mobile research platform and respondent database via two-way SMS between March 24th and April 12th, 2021 with some countries completing data collection earlier than others.

The study questionnaire was designed by GeoPoll researchers and translated where needed and was run in six countries: Côte D’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa. The total sample size was 400 per country and 2,400 total, which provides a 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence interval. GeoPoll used a simple random sampling technique from GeoPoll’s respondent database of mobile subscribers in each country surveyed. The sample was nationally representative by age, gender and location (ADM1).

For more information on the sample and methodology, to request copies of the questionnaire and response data, or to speak to a GeoPoll representative on conducting surveys in Africa, Asia and Latin America, please contact us.

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Background

Nigeria is one of the largest advertising markets in Africa, and outdoor advertising through billboards, vehicle signs, and other means is one of the oldest and most visible forms of advertising. In 2018, outdoor advertising accounted for 28% of total media spend in Nigeria, behind only TV advertising. Despite its wide use, the effectiveness of outdoor advertising has always been more difficult to measure than that of TV and radio, which can be measured through viewership statistics, or online ads, which directly track clicks and conversions. The number of people who see an outdoor ad, how they engage with it, and if they take an action because of the ad later are all metrics that are important but difficult to track for outdoor advertising.

With these factors in mind, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria worked with GeoPoll to assess the effectiveness of outdoor advertising or out of home (OOH). The study focused on key cities within Nigeria, and examined time spent outdoors being exposed to advertising, the most visible forms of outdoor advertising, and what actions are taken after seeing an OOH ad.

Methodology

This study was run by a mobile web link in February 2020, with 1000 respondents located in Lagos, Abuja, and Rivers. Respondents were randomly targeted from the GeoPoll database, a database of mobile subscribers throughout Nigeria.

Results

Out of Home Activities and Advertising Awareness

It was found that walking and public transportation are the most common forms of transportation in all three locations studied. Generally, people spend two hours a day outside their homes commuting, and we found that vehicle travel goes down on the weekends, while time spent walking increases on the weekend compared to the weekday. The study also found that awareness of billboards is high, with 79% claiming that they had noticed a billboard in the past 7 days, and 63% stating that when they see a billboard they notice the brand or message being communicated ‘all of the time.’

When examining forms of OOH advertising, static billboards emerged as the most visible format, with over 80% of respondents saying they notice billboard advertisements. This was followed by wrapped buses, taxis, and other vehicles in all cities. Wrapped ads were particularly noticeable in Lagos and Abuja.

Out of Home Advertising Effectiveness

The study also looked at the effectiveness of outdoor advertising when compared to other advertising channels including radio, TV, and online. Across all channels, the most common action following ad exposure is searching for more information online; While 74% said they do this for radio, OOH came in second in this metric at 69%. Activations were also analyzed against spend and reach for each channel, and it was found that while the low spend and high reach of radio drives high effectiveness overall, the fragmented nature of radio audiences makes it difficult to capture wider audiences with one campaign. Meanwhile, it was found that OOH is more effective than both TV and online advertising in most measures, including downloading an app, buying the brand mentioned, and recommending the brand to a friend.

Impact

This study demonstrates the high efficacy of OOH advertisements at triggering a consumer response, and finds that overall OOH is the second most effective medium, following radio. Interestingly, OOH is found to be more effective than online advertising, although this medium is expected to continue to grow over time. The Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria will use this data to educate the advertising industry on the continued importance of OOH advertising, even as digital channels continue to arise. By using concrete statistics on the awareness and impact of OOH ads when compared to other advertising channels, brands can make more informed decisions on where to invest their ad spend in Nigeria. This reaffirms OAAN’s commitment to proving the value OOH brings into the media mix and dispel the notion that online advertising is a more efficient advertising method.Key Points:

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Background

Kenya has been at the forefront of providing digital financial services for over a decade. The proliferation of mobile-based banking and lending platforms has provided unbanked populations with access to financial services and increased financial inclusion by over 50%. Digital lending, which provides people with easy access to loans of various amounts, has been especially popular, and there are now an over 120 digital lending platforms in Kenya. Despite this, until recently the sector had been largely unregulated, and there was little data available on who is taking out loans and how they are being used.

The Digital Lenders Association of Kenya (DLAK) is a new member organization incorporated in 2019 bringing together the leading digital-first loan providers and associated stakeholders to facilitate mutual growth in the digital lending sector in Kenya.
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The main objective of the organization is to set ethical and professional standards in the industry, to collaborate with policy makers and other stakeholders in addressing industry issues, contribute to knowledge and learning and to drive the overall growth of the digital lending and Fintech sector in line with the Economic Pillar of the Vision 2030, MTP III and the Big Four Agenda.

The Digital Lenders Association of Kenya commissioned GeoPoll to conduct a study which aims to better understand the audiences and motivations for digital lending.

Methodology

The study was conducted via SMS in December 2019, with over 4,000 who answered the initial questions and 1,000 respondents who completed the study after indicating they had taken out a digital loan in the past 6 months. There was a 50/50 gender split, and a 70/30 urban-rural split. Respondents were 18+ and located throughout Kenya.

Results

The study found that 71% of over 4,000 total respondents reached had taken out a mobile loan in the past 6 months. While males and females were equally likely to have taken out a loan, those aged 36 and older and those in rural areas were less likely to have taken out a loan than younger, urban populations.

Highlights of the findings include:

• Of those who had taken out a mobile loan, satisfaction levels were reported as high, with 83% saying they were highly satisfied with their mobile lending experience
• Of those who had taken out a mobile loan, satisfaction levels were reported as high, with 83% saying they were highly satisfied with their mobile lending experience
• 88% said they would consider taking another loan out in the future.
• The majority of those taking out loans are doing so for personal use, with 66.5% stating they have taken out personal loans, and 33.5% using loans for business.
• The reasons for taking a personal loan are varied, but 41% used the loan for household expenses or bills, while 23% cited emergency expenses and 20% medical expenses.
• Business loans were primarily used to purchase goods, with 53% of business loans being for goods purchase, and 19% for emergency expenses.
• 84% of those who took business loans stated that there was a growth in their business due to the loan, and 45% said that they would not have another credit option if not for the mobile loan.

The study also demonstrated that consumers are drawn to the convenience of mobile-based lending: Getting loans any time of the day, having loans be approved without paperwork, and receiving money quickly were the most important features to users of mobile or web loans.

The infographic with results can be found here: DLAK Infographic.

Impact

By using a mobile methodology, DLAK was able to quickly reach respondents throughout Kenya who use digital loans to better understand their experiences. This study will be used by DLAK and the digital lending sector to further grow their services in line with the needs and desires of Kenyans taking out loans. “The digital lending sector has grown exponentially in the past few years, and this study demonstrates the universal appeal of fast, easy to access digital loans for a multitude of purposes,” stated Robert Masinde, Chairman DLAK.Key Points:

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Background

Cote d’Ivoire is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, boosted by recent reforms to the financial sector that have been praised by groups such as the International Monetary Fund. The number of people who have access to financial services has also improved in the past few years. While in 2016, the World Bank found that only one in eight people used formal banking accounts for savings, the introduction of digital financial services has seen an increase in financial inclusion.

With this background, Opinion & Public, a leading public relations firm in Francophone Africa and based in Cote D’Ivoire, sought to understand perceptions of various financial sector services, including mobile money services, commercial banks, mortgage institutions, insurance providers, and more. By examining the factors that affect the performance and uptake of different financial services, Opinion & Public can advise those in the financial industry on the latest trends.

Methodology

A total of 789 respondents from Cote D’Ivoire participated in the study. The gender and age distribution of respondents was 67% male to 33% female, and 34% ages 18-24, 45% ages 25-34, and 21% ages 35 and above. The majority of the respondents were in the 8 to 12 range of the Living Standard Measures. Respondents came from across the country, with 23% located in the financial center of Abidjan.

Results

Results demonstrate the prevalence of non-traditional financial services solutions such as mobile money operators. While 36% reported they were aware of commercial banks, only 15% of the total sample currently use a commercial bank, compared to 40% who were aware of mobile money operators and 22% who currently use a mobile money operator. Insurance providers had relatively high awareness, at 30%, but low uptake, with only 9% of respondents currently using an insurance provider. Microfinance banks, which provide small loans to those who may not otherwise have access to business or personal loans, had 29% awareness, but only 10% currently use these banks.

Banking and Insurance

Of those who use banks, debit cards are more popular than credit cards, with 60% of bank users using debit cards, compared to 36% who use credit cards, demonstrating that credit is still a less common service in Cote D’Ivoire. The study also found that the majority of banking customers are using their banking services monthly or less, with only 11% stating that they use banks weekly or daily. For those who do not use banks, the biggest barriers are a lack of money/finances and unemployment, demonstrating that consumers associate the ability to have a bank account with a higher level of earnings. A majority of bank users, 57%, state that they also use mobile money, showing the ubiquity of mobile money platforms among all segments of the population.

Of the 9% overall who currently have insurance, health insurance and life insurance are the most popular types of coverage. The study found similarities among those who do not have bank accounts and do not have insurance, with the most common reasons for not having insurance being unemployment and lack of finances.

Mobile Money

Mobile money has revolutionized finances in countries such as Cote D’Ivoire. Mobile applications are convenient to send and receive money and are available to consumers at all income levels. This study found that receiving money and purchasing airtime were the most common uses of mobile money applications, with 36% and 21% respectively stating they use these functions. The fast, user-friendly, and secure nature of mobile money transactions are the main drivers for people starting to use mobile money. Of those who do not use mobile money, the main factor is a lack of finances.

Perceptions of Financial Services

In order to examine the perceptions of various financial services in Cote D’Ivoire, this study calculated net promoter scores. Based on responses, respondents were divided into promoter, detractor, and neutral groups. Mobile money services had a much higher proportion of promoters, at 72%, than both insurance companies, with 52% promoters, and banks, at 47% promoters. These findings demonstrate that the perceived ease and availability of mobile money has led to these applications being viewed more favorably than traditional financial services.

For banks, customer service (both good and bad), and reliability and security were among the most cited reasons given for the net promoter scores. Reliability was also cited as an essential factor in the net promoter score for insurance companies. Despite mobile money services being less established than traditional banks, reliability and security were also mentioned when rating mobile money providers. Other features that factored into the net promoter score for mobile money providers included the availability and fast nature of mobile money.

Impact

Opinion & Public is committed to creating a positive narrative around the financial services providers in Francophone Africa and is using this data internally to build strategies to effectively engage audiences in Cote d’Ivoire. Increasing the awareness and accelerating the growth of financial services in Cote d’Ivoire will improve development in the sector and bring financial services to greater portions of the population. This survey provides greater understanding of the perception and use of financial services in Cote D’Ivoire, and will allow banks, insurance companies, mobile money applications, and government authorities to tackle the challenges surrounding financial services in the countryKey Points:

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Background

Brands are always looking to better understand their target audiences and how they interact with products and services, perceive brands and make purchase decisions. This is especially important for fast moving consumer goods, which have high turnover and are often purchased impulsively, leaving little time for consumers to weigh the pros and cons of a product against competitors. Unilever is one of the world’s largest FMCG companies, and owns over 400 brands around the globe. These include well-known food and beverage brands such as Knorr and Lipton, and home and personal care brands including Dove and Sunlight. Unilever’s Consumer and Market Insights group is known as one of the best market research arms of any multinational company, and uses a vast array of data sources to guide the company’s consumer-driven strategy.

Challenge

Unilever is constantly looking to improve upon existing products, test demand for new ideas, and better understand their customer base in each market. To do this, they conduct research through multiple channels, including analysis of retail data, store audits, and quantitative surveys. Qualitative data is also vital to understanding customers, as it provides rich context and details that cannot be gleaned from quantitative data. However, in countries such as Nigeria and Kenya, conducting in-person focus groups can be time-consuming and difficult due to infrastructure challenges, dispersed populations, and other factors. Traditional Market Research Online Communities (MROCs), which are most often conducted via desktop computer, are also infeasible for populations who access the internet most often through mobile phones.

Solution

Unilever’s Consumer and Market Insights group recognized the value of gathering qualitative data from its target audience in countries including Kenya and Nigeria, and sought to develop a better way to gather insights from these populations. The solution was mobile: By leveraging the wide reach and accessibility of mobile connectivity throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Unilever, GeoPoll and qualitative specialists AHA were able to develop a unique methodology that allows for in-depth, qualitative data to be gathered via respondents’ own mobile phones.

In this methodology, respondents are recruited and then placed into a mobile chat group, in which conversations can continue for a longer period of time than in traditional focus groups. Respondents are incentivized weekly or monthly for their participation, and new respondents are brought in to replace those that have become inactive. A specialized moderator guides the conversation by asking specific prompts and encouraging group members to discuss topics among themselves. Due to the mobile nature of the chat, prompts can include requests for photos or videos of products being used, and respondents can participate at a time that is convenient to them.

Impact

GeoPoll and AHA have now conducted mobile-based MROCs in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Cote D’Ivoire. Leveraging GeoPoll’s database of respondents and expertise in conducting research throughout sub-Saharan Africa, our clients have been provided with actionable insights not only in FMCG categories but financial services, media and other sectors as well. The rich insights collected include videos of respondents opening and using products, reactions to potential new product types or product packaging, and much more. Using this data, our clients are able to refine plans for new products, gauge reactions to changes to existing products, and make more informed decisions based on the preferences of their target audience. In addition, GeoPoll’s wide reach allows us quickly to scale mobile-based MROCs to multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa and around the world.Key Points:

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Smartphone Usage and Data Costs in South Africa

A GeoPoll Research Report

South Africa is one of the biggest adopters of mobile technology in sub-Saharan Africa, with higher rates of smartphone adoption than in most other countries in the region.

This GeoPoll survey looks into how South Africans are using their phones, what features and applications they use most often, and how much they are paying for mobile services each month.View Results

BACKGROUND: MOBILE PHONES IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is one of the biggest adopters of mobile technology in sub-Saharan Africa, with higher rates of smartphone adoption than in most other countries in the region. A study by Pew Research in 2018 found that 51% of adults in South Africa own smartphones, and an additional 40% own a basic mobile phone. In terms of total numbers, it has been found that there are 46.9 million smartphone subscriptions in South Africa, which accounts for users who have multiple phones. As smartphone penetration continues to grow in South Africa, so does the development and use of smartphone apps for messaging, transportation, streaming, and more.

Despite high rates of smartphone adoption, South Africa is plagued by high data costs which have resulted in protests and fierce competition between the country’s leading mobile network operators including MTN and Vodacom. It has been found that data costs in South Africa are more expensive than those found in other sub-Saharan African nations including Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana. In December 2019 a report by the Competition Commission highlighted the price disparities between countries, and stated that poorer customers are forced to buy smaller data packages due to cost, limiting their capabilities. Given that a majority of mobile users in South Africa are using mobile phones as their primary way to access the internet, the high costs of data remain a challenge for many.

In order to better understand how South Africans are using their phones, what features and applications they use most often, and how much they are paying for mobile services each month, GeoPoll conducted a study with 400 South Africans via mobile web link.

METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted in February 2020 among 400 respondents in South Africa, with a 50-50 male-female split, and 33-33-34 split between ages 18-24, 25-34, and 35+. Respondents were roughly nationally representative across the 9 provinces in South Africa.

Surveys were sent via mobile web, meaning respondents received an SMS message with a link that opened in a browser within their phone. Due to this methodology, all respondents had access to the internet when they took the survey, and 398 out of 400 respondents reported that they own a smartphone, as opposed to a more basic phone with internet access.

RESULTS: PHONE USAGE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Phone Types

own more than one phone with people split on why they have multiple phones, with business/personal use, different services used, and to have a backup being the main reasons.

Samsung (49%) and Huawei (27%) are the most used phone brands. The dream phone for most is an iPhone (46%), followed by a Samsung phone (27%), with the most wanted Samsung phone being a S10.

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Storage space (29%) is the most important factor in a phone, followed by a long lasting battery (21%). A good camera and a large enough ROM (both at 14%) are also important.

Phone and Data Costs

Monthly Spend on Phone Services

The majority of respondents, 70%, spend between 100 – 500 ZAR ($6.60 – $33 USD) on phone services per month, with 48% spending between 100 – 250 ZAR. Males spend more than females on phone services.

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Phone Plans

Purchasing Patterns

Choice of provider

Most phone users are on prepaid plans (76%) compared to just 13% on post paid. Noting that over 59% of the respondents said they have more than one SIM card, 11% said they have both prepaid and post paid plans. Respondents purchase mobile data either weekly or monthly, with 37% purchasing weekly and 38% monthly. 36% do not have a regular purchasing pattern, instead opting to buy mobile data only when they have the money to buy.Cost and reliability are the biggest factors in choosing a mobile phone network, and 86% choose mobile networks based on deals they are running. 40% say it is very likely they would switch mobile providers due to cheaper data deals elsewhere!

App Usage

WhatsApp (58%) and Facebook Messenger (30%) are the most popular messaging Apps in South Africa. Our survey found out that males are more likely to use WhatsApp while females like Facebook Messenger more. Widening the questions to the larger social media, Facebook (33%), YouTube (20%) and Twitter (13%) were the most popular social media apps.

YouTube tops the chart of the most used video and music streaming Apps, with 41% of the respondents saying they streami videos on YouTube. Google Play (25%) and MultiChoice’s on-demand Dstv Now (14%) completed the top 3.

Looking at transport, Uber (50%), and Taxify (28%) dominate a taxi-hailing Apps category that is mostly popular with the youth.

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Time Spent on Smartphone Functionalities

Internet takes up the most time of phone functions, with 45% saying they use the internet on their phone more than 4 hours a day. Of applications, time is most spent on messaging apps – 40% spent 4+ hours daily on messaging apps, followed by social media apps – 36% use social media apps 4+ hours daily. Females spend more time on both messaging apps and social media apps.

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The internet is so important that 99% of respondents classify internet as a must-have part of a mobile phone, and 70% access the internet mostly through a smartphone or tablet compared to just 10% who browse the internet mostly on computers. This confirms that for website owners and developers in South Africa, mobile must be a priority.

Which device do you access internet on?

Does South Africa have good mobile internet?

CONCLUSION

As smartphone penetration among South Africans continues to grow, it is clear that mobile network operators, device makers, and application developers will have to adapt to the wants and needs of this powerful consumer group. This survey has demonstrated the importance of internet access and mobile data costs to phone users. Users spend most of their phone time on the internet, and have little loyalty when it comes to mobile networks, instead switching between phones and SIM cards to get the best deals on data.  

Since phone storage is a high priority, both device makers and application developers must focus on this aspect of their products, while also building compelling applications that can compete with the likes of Facebook and Youtube. In the coming years we expect to see increased competition in South Africa around mobile products, and GeoPoll will conduct additional research on this subject as it is needed. 

If you are interested in conducting research with GeoPoll’s respondents in South Africa, please contact us here. 

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The post Smartphone Usage and Data Costs in South Africa appeared first on GeoPoll.

Background

The 2015 State of the Nation Address by President Zuma in South Africa received significant media attention, both in the lead up and especially when several Members of Parliament walked out on the speech in protest of Zuma. After beginning his speech, Zuma was heckled by members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, who demanded to know when he would pay back government funds that had been used to upgrade his own estate. EFF members were then removed by security, and later in the speech all 89 members of another opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, walked out on the speech.

With several other major issues surrounding the speech, including a weakening economy and unreliable power grid, TNS and GeoPoll wanted to get the opinions of ordinary South Africans immediately following the speech.

Solution

An SMS-based mobile survey was conducted amongst 1,100 South African adults the day following the address. The sample was nationally representative by age, gender, and province. This data was combined with insights TNS collected from monitoring other social media channels including Twitter around the SONA address.

Results

85% of respondents reported watching or following the speech live, and opinions were split on the outcome, with roughly half (52%) feeling satisfied that the State of the Nation Address was “good” or “very good”, and slightly less (47%) saying they have confidence in the government to accomplish what President Zuma promised.

The outcome held true across most provinces, with exceptions in Mpumalanga, where feelings were mostly positive, with 46% saying the speech was “very good”, and in Limpopo, where a third said the speech was “very good”. In the Western Cape, where the Democratic Alliance is strong, 34% of those who viewed the speech said it was “not good at all”.

Adults between the ages of 25-35 were more interested in the speech than the total population, with 89% reporting watching the speech. Reactions to the speech were also split by age, with 35% of those 45+ saying the speech was “not good at all” compared to only 9% of those between 18-24 years old. The study also asked about main topics that South Africans recalled from the speech, finding that 52% of those who watched remembered electricity challenges as one of the key points Zuma addressed. 45% remembered wages as a main topic, and 38% recalled Zuma’s address of education issues. The survey demonstrated the polarized nature of the views of ordinary South Africans, and the issues most important to them.JTNDaW1nJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDE4JTJGMDUlMkZrZW55YS1lbGVjdHJpY2l0eS5wbmclMjIlMjB3aWR0aCUzRDY1MCUzRQ==Key Points:

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