| 2010 confidence soars |
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| Written by Ndaba Dlamini | |
| Wednesday, 12 December 2007 | |
Joburg has the highest increase in optimism in the country's electricity demands
Faith that the country will be ready to host the FIFA World Cup in 2010 is rising among ordinary South Africans – and Joburg residents lead the pack. JOBURGERS are confident that the country will be ready to host the World Cup come 2010, according to a study undertaken by the market research company, African Response. The results of the study are part of the company's 2010 Barometer, in which 1 199 respondents representing South Africa's vastly diverse population were interviewed to find out people's awareness of and opinions on preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. 2010 Barometer has been undertaken quarterly since March 2006; it asks for opinions on the government's preparations for hosting the World Cup, focusing on issues such as the public transport system, tourism, World Cup logos, security and electricity capacity. The study found that respondents in Johannesburg had the highest increase in optimism in the country's public transport system, roads, airports and electricity demands. 
A study found that respondents in Johannesburg had the highest increase in optimism in the country's electricity demands, among other things
Their perceptions about whether the public transport system would be ready by 2010 showed a marked increase in optimism from 66 percent in March 2006 to 78 percent in November 2007. This, according to the study, could be attributed to the visible progress of the Gautrain. Some 70 percent of South Africans felt that roads would be ready to meet the expectations of the World Cup. Again, Johannesburg led the pack, showing the highest confidence rating of 79 percent, a 16 percent increase from the last measurement, taken in July. Johannesburg residents were most confident that airports would be ready for 2010 - 82 percent - and they had the highest increase in confidence that the country would be able to deal with electricity demands. In this instance, confidence levels reached 70 percent this quarter. Policing and security services have been preparing for the tournament, a move that had not escaped people's eyes, according to African Response. Overall confidence in policing and security for the World Cup increased across all regions, rising from 55 percent to 62 percent. It was also found that South Africans across most regions were more likely to attend a World Cup match compared to the last reporting period, with people from Pretoria being the only exception. Overall, the possibility of South Africans viewing World Cup matches on television was stable at 86 percent. On the 2010 FIFA World Cup logo, the study found that the public was starting to like the logo, with 64 percent of South Africans indicating their approval, compared to the previous quarter's rating of 55 percent.
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