Voters want Motlanthe - survey

2012-09-22 22:42

Kgalema Motlanthe

Johannesburg - A new survey has found most urban South Africans wanted Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe as their president rather than President Jacob Zuma, the Sunday Times reported.

The survey showed 39% of urban dwellers wanted Motlanthe as president versus 32% wanting Zuma to remain in the country's top post, according to the newspaper.

The survey, conducted by research company TNS, stated Motlanthe's approval rating was 51% versus 41% for Zuma among urban black people.

The majority of whites and coloureds preferred Motlanthe, while most Indians supported Zuma.

Zuma's approval rating was 55% in February, 46% in mid-April and 51% in July.

The main decline in Zuma's popularity took place in Soweto, Johannesburg, where his rating of 48% was the lowest since Zuma took office in 2009.

The survey was conducted in seven major metropolitan areas from among 2000 participants.

- SAPA