“Respondents who correctly identified Sexwale’s profession were asked who they would prefer as president of South Africa, Zuma or Sexwale and 64% of respondents rejected both choices,” insights company Pondering Panda said in a statement.

The survey was conducted among 4 673 South Africans over the age of 18 and across all demographic groups last week.

It found that only 57% of the respondents knew that Sexwale, who is minister of human settlements, was a politician or a businessman.
“Eighteen percent thought he was a football player, 12% a comedian and 6% said he was a judge.”

When the respondents who could identify Zuma and Sexwale were asked who they would want as president, 19% of respondents said Zuma, who is currently South African president.

Seventeen percent opted for Sexwale - who is reported to have presidential ambitions, although he has not confirmed this.

The ANC will hold its national conference at Mangaung in the Free State in December, when the president of the ANC will be elected.

Zuma and Sexwale are both rumoured to want the position. The president of the ANC is usually appointed as president of the country.

Consumer insights company Pondering Panda is a member of the World of Avatar group, which also owns Mxit, Africa’s biggest mobile social network.

Source: SAPA