IRR to publish latest opinion polling on political support, race relations, and policy preferences

Over the coming three weeks, the Institute of Race Relations (IRR) will publish three reports unpacking the findings of its most recent opinion polling.

On Tuesday 15 April, the first of these, focusing on the political state of play in the country, will be published in an online webinar. The second and third reports on the results will be published over the following week or so.

Says Hermann Pretorius, IRR head of strategic communications and lead author of the reports: “Over the almost 100 years in which it has been studying public opinion, the IRR has developed an acute sense of historic moments of breakthrough or upheaval. The current moment in South Africa is intensely reminiscent of such historic moments when change, for good or ill, became tangible.

“To have had an opinion survey in the field just as South Africans saw the consequence of last year’s election play out dramatically in Parliament on the issue of the budget is exciting. The results capture a unique snapshot of the battle of ideas playing out in real time. In presenting our findings over the coming days, we will make clear how we assess the results within the current charged context – and what these mean for the future of South African politics, race relations, and policy debates.”

The IRR’s latest survey was carried out between 27 March and 3 April 2025. With a confidence interval of 95%, the findings have a margin of error of 4%.

Details of the webinar on 15 April will follow shortly.

Media contact: Hermann Pretorius IRR Head of Strategic Communications Tel: 079 875 4290 Email: hermann@irr.org.za

Media enquiries: Michael Morris Tel: 066 302 1968 Email: michael@irr.org.za