An independent market research company has found that over two-thirds of Capetonians are in favour of the Green Point stadium, while 82% of poor and unemployed people support it.

Significant numbers also regard the hosting of World Cup 2010 as of vital importance to South Africa while the majority of Capetonians think that South Africa will be ready to host it, according to the findings of a study by TNS Research Surveys just released.

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 2 000 was an acceptable research base. The margin of error was 2.5%. The research was conducted in late May and early June.

“These are exciting and gratifying scientific results, and it shows a growing excitement in Cape Town,” said City of Cape Town’s Executive Director for Service Delivery Integration, Mike Marsden.

“This is 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 found that 69% of Capetonians support the stadium, while only 17% of those polled were against the stadium, and 13% said they did not know. More affluent and older respondents were the least positive about the stadium, but in the least positive category – over 50s – a total of 50% still said they were in favour of the construction of the multi-purpose stadium on Green Point Common, venue for a semi-final and eight other matches.

When asked whether they felt South Africa was ready to host the 2010 FIFA World 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 is 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 2010 FIFA World Cup will bring to the economy. 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, said Marsden.