Survey pinpoints coloured woes

More than two thirds of South Africans are optimistic that the quality of their lives will improve over the next five years, although coloured people are the most despondent - and Gauteng residents fear and hate the idea of new toll roads, according to a Plus 94 Research survey.

Optimism was most keenly felt among blacks and the two youngest segments (18-24 and 25-34 years).

"Respondents anticipated they would find better employment, begin to develop a more positive view about life as the years pass, have an increased ability to deal with debt, and an increased ability to save their money," said Plus 94 Research CEO Sifiso Falala.

Gauteng respondents were the most optimistic about what they expected in the five years to come, he said.

In response to questions about the new tolling system on Gauteng freeways, 84% of respondents felt it would have a negative financial effect on their lives.

"The major concerns were that it would bring about increases to public transport fares, the prices of products and services, the price of petrol and the cost of food.

"Of the 16% of respondents who viewed the e-toll system as a positive development, almost half (43%) stated that the system would result in improved road infrastructure."

Falala said nearly a third of respondents felt that the quality of their lives had deteriorated over the past five years. The major reasons provided were linked to the economic downturn, unemployment, low salary levels and the perceived high cost of food.

"This was especially true of coloured respondents, who not only felt that their lives had gotten worse in those years but were also experiencing the greatest financial problems as compared to other race groups. It may very well be that the coloured population is becoming the forgotten race of SA, which could in the long run turn them into important swing voters whenever elections are held," said Falala.

The rising price of transport and food due to the increased petrol price was also a concern for respondents earning less than R5000 a month.

"And 84% of Gauteng respondents had a negative view of the proposed Gauteng highway e-toll system, seeing it as a further financial burden to their already pressurised livelihoods," he said.

Despite the relatively high level of optimism about the future, one-fifth of respondents felt their lives would get worse due to their limited job prospects, the continued high cost of living, governmental apathy to people's problems, and the impact of crime and violence on their lives.

Not surprisingly, those earning less than R5000 a month had the greatest financial problems. More than half said they were struggling to pay for food, water and lights, rent/home loans, public transport and school fees for their children. School fees were cited as a major challenge, with only 37% of those earning R5000 or less being able to afford them comfortably.

"Total incomes were compared to total expenses for different market segments. Coloured and white respondents, based on reported household income, overspent on expenses by 3.14% and 11.56% respectively a month. Black respondents appeared to be faring much better monthly, reportedly coming out with approximately 12% of their household income after expenses.

"The most concerning levels of overspending or income deficit were among respondents in the 18-24 and 25-34 age groups who, on a monthly basis, spent more than they earned."

The Plus 94 Research Lifestyle and Affordability Index will be tracked at least once a year. It is intended to measure the actual costs of basic products and services.

The inaugural survey was conducted among consumers in metropolitan areas in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

A total of 1220 respondents participated in the survey, undertaken in association with the Sunday Times.