Youth have no confidence in Zuma - survey
2012-11-28 22:32
Johannesburg - Most young people in South Africa do not have faith in President Jacob Zuma, a survey revealed on Wednesday.
"If Parliament were to reflect the views of South Africa's youth, a vote of no confidence in our president would be carried by a healthy majority," research company Pondering Panda said in a statement.
The youth were asked to imagine they were members of Parliament, taking part in a vote of no confidence in Zuma's ability to lead South Africa.
The survey polled 2 801 South Africans aged between 18 and 34 across the country. About 60% said they would support the motion of no confidence, compared to 25% who thought his performance was satisfactory.
Sixteen percent were unsure as to how they would have voted.
Young black South Africans gave the president the thumbs down, with 57% saying they would pass a no confidence vote.
About 73% of whites and coloureds, and 79% of Indians, felt the same way.
Zuma received the most support from the youth in KwaZulu-Natal, with 47% giving him a positive rating, compared to the 34% who voted against him.
Earlier this month Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko gave notice in the National Assembly of a motion of no confidence in Zuma.
It was brought on the grounds "that under his leadership the justice system has been politicised and weakened; corruption has spiralled out of control; unemployment continues to increase, the economy is weakening, and the right of access to quality education has been violated".
The motion was "mandated" by eight opposition parties.
On 22 November the Western Cape High Court dismissed Mazibuko's urgent application to force a parliamentary debate on the motion.
The matter is currently before the Constitutional Court.
- SAPA
