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Most in CT want 2010 stadium
28/06/2007 17:46 - (SA)
Cape Town - Independent market research has found that over two-thirds of Capetonians are in favour of the Green Point stadium, City of Cape Town officials said on Thursday.
"These are exciting and gratifying scientific results, and it shows a growing excitement in Cape Town," said the city's director of service delivery integration, Mike Marsden.
The survey found that 69% of Capetonians supported the stadium, while only 17% of those polled were against it, and 13% did not know, a council statement read.
More affluent and older respondents were least keen on it, but even in the least positive category - over 50s - a total of 50% still said they were in favour of constructing the multi-purpose stadium on Green Point Common, venue for a semi-final and eight other matches in the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Asked if they thought South Africa was ready to host the Cup, the majority of Capetonians (52%) responded positively. The national average was 69%.
The researchers ascribed this lag to the initial controversy over the Green Point stadium.
Nationally, 81% of respondents felt the event was important for the national economy, while 76% of Capetonians agreed.
"This shows that over three-quarters of residents realise the importance of the investments, legacy and benefits that hosting the... Cup will bring," Marsden said.
First scientific research
"More than half of the Cape Town respondents believe the country will be ready to host the event. This 'can do' approach should start building from now."
This was the first scientific research done since the construction of the stadium began.
"Overall, this is good news for Cape Town. The survey also found that 82% of poor, unemployed people are in favour of the stadium. This disproves critics' claims that they speak for the poor who would not want it," he said.
The survey was conducted by TNS Research Surveys in late May and early June, and had a margin of error of 2.5%.
The research company emphasised that the questions were framed in such a way as not to guide or influence responses, and the sample size of 2000 was an acceptable research base.
- SAPA
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