Forty-seven percent of metropolitan South Africans do not believe President Thabo Mbeki is doing a good job as president, according to a poll conducted by Research Surveys.
Research Surveys said in a statement on Monday that in February this year respondents 18 years and older from all race, age and income groups were interviewed in the major metropolitan areas of South Africa.
Just under half the respondents were critical of Mbeki’s capabilities.
Mbeki’s popularity was lowest among the youth. Fifty-two percent in the 18 to 24-year age group felt the president was not doing a good job as president.
Research Surveys said the older generation, 50 plus, were less disapproving with only 44% holding the same opinion as their younger metropolitan counterparts.
Among respondents from different ethnic groups, opinions were varied with seven out of 10 Indian respondents critical of Mbeki’s leadership skills.
Sixty-six percent of whites and 52% of coloureds were of the same opinion while black respondents were the least critical with only 39% not believing he was doing a good job.
”While Mbeki was seen in an unfavourable light by about five out of 10 adults, overall 37% thought he was doing a good job while 16% did not have an opinion on the matter,” Research Surveys said.
”When Mbeki’s popularity is compared to that of Nelson Mandela, it is very evident that Madiba was notably more popular than Thabo Mbeki is.”
This was particularly apparent among black and white respondents.
In August 1998, 71% of black men felt Mandela was doing a good job, while this year’s findings indicated only 48% of black men felt Mbeki was performing well. The numbers for black women were 73% and 48% respectively. – Sapa