Zuma approval ratings hit a low

Published: 01 July 2013
Johannesburg - South Africa President Jacob Zuma's approval levels in urban areas have stabilised close to their lowest point since the last general election, a survey revealed on Monday.

Zuma's approval rating in the middle two weeks of May stood at 42%, research company TNS South Africa said.

In February, Zuma's approval ratings fell to their lowest with 41% saying they believed the president was doing a good job, TNS said.

"Historically, the net sentiment towards the president has been positive in general, but with many sitting on the fence," the company said.

"In 2009, up to 31% were undecided about the president. Those sitting on the fence fell to 14% in 2011."

TNS said that over the past year, people who were undecided made up their minds about Zuma and fewer than 10% remained undecided.

When Zuma first came into office people gave him the benefit of the doubt but over time people formed views about the president and some who were positive had changed their minds, the company said.

"Overall, sentiment towards the president has become negative."

In February last year the rating stood at 55% and in August at 48%. The proportion of people who did not approve of the way he was doing his job had risen to 51%.

The survey was conducted among a sample of 2 000 adults from the seven major metropolitan areas in the country.

- Sapa
Tags: Zuma, Ratings,

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