In June 2011, the Praekelt Foundation released the results of a groundbreaking Youth Sex Survey that was conducted on its YoungAfricaLive mobile platform. The survey gives fascinating insight into the sexual behaviour and beliefs of South Africa's youth, and is based on polls run on the YoungAfricaLive platform since December 2010.

Polls respondents are all YoungAfricaLive users (currently, YoungAfricaLive can only be accessed on Vodafone Live), with 51% being over 16 but under 24, and 35% over 24 but under 35.

Although users on YoungAfricaLive are not required to make public full details of who they are, responses to the polls, and the very active comments element of the platform, suggest that users are around 65% urban with the rest located in rural areas. There is a representation of users in all 9 provinces of the country. A breakdown of the provinces is at the end of the document.

The split between male and female appears to be relatively even, although the latter are visibly more active on the comments section of the platform.
The fact that use of the YoungAfricaLive platform is free, even if users don't have airtime, has contributed to its extensive

reach: by June 2011, average daily pageviews on the platform exceeded 130 000, with almost 400 000 unique users to-date.

Each poll received between 2 000 and 8 000 individual responses, a variation attributed to the duration each poll was featured on the site's home page. In spite of the differences in numbers of respondents, we have found that percentages per poll option tend not to fluctuate too much once a poll has been up for 24 hours. Variations of 1 to 3% have been noted. Most questions were asked as independent polls unless stated otherwise (a detailed description precedes questions that were not asked as independent polls).

Below are 50 poll results, also available as a downloadable pdf document.

Button Download Youth Sex Survey 2011 - PDF Watch the video - 1:42 Minutes
01.
Are you sexually active?
NO: I'm saving myself for someone special.
34%
MAYBE: I want to reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
17%
YES: I can't do without sex, but always use protection.
44%
02.
True or False: HIV is a life sentence, not a death sentence?
True
82%
False
18%
03.
Would you have protected sex with a hot guy or girl if they were HIV+?
YES: If we use a condom and lubricant, what is the difference?
34%
NO: You can never take risk with HIV.
34%
NO: If I liked him/her enough.
15%
04.
Not telling your partner that you're HIV+ is as bad as murder
YES: It's murder.
81%
NO: It's not murder.
19%
05.
Are you more likely to have sex after you have been drinking?
NO
66%
YES
34%
06.
What do you think of gays in South Africa?
Their parents raised them gay.
8%
Committing a sin against God.
34%
People are born gay.
55%
07.
Cut or uncut: girls, which do you prefer?
Cut
78%
Uncut
22%
08.
The sexual exploitation of schoolgirls by their teachers is:
Very rare - You've never heard of it at your school.
7%
A huge problem – the reported statistics don't tell the full story.
14%
A two way street - Some girls flirt with their teachers, and are willing to exchange sex for better marks.
42%
Always an abuse of power - Teacher threaten schoolgirls with failure if they don't get what they want.
34%
09.
1 in 4 SA men have raped because:
Men drink too much alcohol.
18%
Women wear clothes that are too revealing.
23%
Men prove their manhood by physically dominating others.
58%
10.
Which is better?
Sex
18%
Money
82%
11.
A new study says being religious makes you feel guilty after sex - Do You feel guilty after sex?
YES: Most of the time.
23 %
NO: Sex is natural, I don't feel guilty about it.
33 %
SOMETIMES: when it's adulterous sex, unprotected sex, or because I am God-fearing.
42 %
12.
A New Year means a New Start... This year you'll be focusing on:
Safe Sex - You plan to carry a condom at all times.
28 %
Coming clean - It's time you knew your
status – for your sake and the sake of others.
37 %
Staying true - Your cheating days are over – it’s too dangerous and hurtful.
34 %
13.
In response to a story on breakthroughs needing years of trials and testing before being released:

A number of HIV breakthroughs have been made in the past year. - Should pharmaceutical companies release these new drugs to the public more quickly?
YES: the new HIV drugs will make a huge difference to peoples' lives. Some risk is worth the gains.
58 %
NO: Clinical trials and tests are essential to ensure new drugs won't have bad side-effects on patients.
41 %
14.
Are South Africans having sex too young?
YES: I see pregnant teens everywhere and most of my friends are having sex.
81 %
NO: young people are more aware than ever of HIV and other STDs and staying virgins for longer.
2 %
MAYBE: People say they are virgins but I'm not sure – peer pressure is a powerful thing.
16 %
15.
In response to a story on the impact on relationships of increased gender equality & "stronger women":

Are strong women ruining relationships?
NO: Strong women are sexy!
11 %
YES: Women should let their men feel they are in charge.
30 %
MAYBE: But everybody has to get a job these days - and if a woman earns more than her man, it's not her fault!
57 %
16.
Is Breaking Up with somebody you don't love a basic Human Right?
YES: Breaking up with somebody you DON'T love is your right - even if it causes the other person pain.
41 %
NO: Relationships need a lot of work. You can't just break up / divorce when the going gets tough.
28 %
MAYBE: But lots of people stay in relationships for reasons other than Love.
30 %
17.
In response to an article about TV celebrity Noeleen's breakup after infidelity in her marriage:

Can a marriage survive infidelity?
YES: If both partners work on the problems that led to the infidelity.
59 %
NO: Once trust is broken, it can never be rebuilt.
41%
18.
In response to a blog story by a YAL writer on the friendships between men and women:

Can Guys and Girls be 'Just Friends'?
YES: Friendship is the same no matter what gender your friend is.
57 %
NO: Guys will always want to push a friendship into the bedroom.
19 %
SOMETIMES: Providing there's no sexual attraction between them.
23 %
19.
In response to a story about Rihanna (the postergirl for domestic violence after being beaten up by her boyfriend Chris Brown last year) – telling the media that she liked rough sex (S/M roleplay).

Can rough sex lead to domestic violence?
YES: Domestic violence is too similar to rough sex to always know the difference.
20 %
NO: 'Rough' sex is consensual, partners trust each other and feel safe. Domestic violence is an abuse of trust.
44 %
NOT SURE: But I don't want anything to do with either of them.
35 %
20.
We've used the Chris Brown / Rihanna relationship a number of times because of the lessons it holds. This poll was in response to Rihanna's agreeing to have Brown's restraining order (he wasn't allowed within 50m of her) lifted so he could perform at a music awards ceremony where she was also appearing.

Chris Brown's restraining order has been lifted - That means the US legal system believes Chris is a reformed man. But will he do it again?
NO: He's done his time, he's paid his dues - and he's learned that his behaviour was unacceptable.
63 %
YES: Perpetrators of domestic violence most often repeat their bad behaviour.
36 %
21.
Can you and your partner live together - and work together?
YES: as long as she's your wife and not your mistress!
42 %
MAYBE: if you make sure to keep boardroom politics out of the bedroom.
28 %
NO: How can you miss her if she doesn't ever go away?
29 %
22.
Can you find True Love on the Internet?
NO: People go onto the Internet for the wrong reasons; you can't go 'shopping' for your Special Someone.
37 %
YES: You can meet your Special Someone anywhere - why not on the Internet?
62 %
23.
In response to an article earlier this year, where government released figures on how many South Africans had been tested in the last year:

Did YOU get HIV-tested in the last year?
YES:In the last 12 months
22 %
YES:In the last 6 months
17 %
YES:I get tested every 3 months
28 %
NO: I really don't want to know my result
31 %
24.
Does being gay have anything to do with your ability to play a sport?
YES
18 %
NO
81 %
25.
In response to a blogger's story about the size of
a man's penis:

Does penis size count? - A poll for the ladies
YES
31 %
NO
11 %
DEPENDS HOW HE USES IT.
56 %
26.
In response to an article saying young South Africans still did not take HIV seriously:

Do you agree with the findings of this study?
YES: I think young people STILL don't take HIV seriously.
85 %
NO: Young people are scared of HIV, are aware of how HIV is passed on, and do use protection.
14 %
27.
Linked to an article about ABC failing in Swaziland due to Multiple Concurrent Sexual partners:

Do you have multiple concurrent sexual partners?
YES:and I know I'm putting myself at risk of contracting HIV.
9 %
NO: I only have one long-term partner / I'm abstaining.
63 %
YES:but I always use condoms so I consider myself protected.
26 %
28.
In response to a blogger's story on trust within a relationship and getting tested with his girlfriend:

Do you trust your lover and should your lover trust you? - Would you get tested together?
NO: I want to deal with my test results in private.
13 %
YES: If I can't tell my sexual partner about my HIV status, then who can I tell?
86 %
29.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers! - Now tell us what you think: Is motherhood the ultimate joy - or the ultimate sacrifice?
Ultimate joy - no relationship is more rewarding!
36 %
Ultimate sacrifice - moms need medals!
63 %
30.
Ran alongside stories by a Girl blogger on dating an older man and a Boy blogger on prowling for a cougar:

Have you dated an older man or woman?
YES: and I loved it!
43 %
NO: I prefer mine young and fresh.
56 %
31.
How Close is HIV to you in your daily life?
Far Away – I don't know anybody who is HIV+
28 %
Around the Corner – Some of my friends and relatives are HIV+
30 %
In your House – A loved one is living with HIV.
11 %
In your Heart – I lost a Loved one to HIV.
14 %
In your Blood – I am HIV+ and I live with the disease each day..
14 %
32.
In response to an article on recent legislation by Uganda around homosexuality:

If the punishment should fit the crime.... - Then do you think Uganda should pass the death penalty for gays?
YES:Being gay is a crime that should be punishable by death.
11 %
NO: Being gay is not a crime. There's no reason for it to be punished at all!
50 %
MAYBE: Anybody who knowingly infects another with HIV should be charged for a crime. But this has nothing to do with being gay.
38 %
33.
If you're old enough to be having sex, what HIV risk worries you the most?
Trust – you wonder if your partner is really being faithful to you.
50 %
Unprotected sex - your partner prefers not to use a condom and it's tricky to talk about it.
17 %
Condom breakage – you use condoms but worry they might break.
23 %
Caring for an HIV patient – you worry you might become infected through caring for a positive patient.
8 %
34.
In response to a blogger's article about having to choose to spend Easter with his girlfriend or his family back home in the rural areas:

Is Blood thicker than Water? - Should you put Family Love before Romantic Love?
YES:Family is Forever, Romance is Fickle.
51 %
NO: Relationships won't work if you don't put your partner First.
10 %
MAYBE: It depends on the situation.
38 %
35.
In response to an article about black women in Jozi hiring detectives to catch their husbands cheating where a detective was quoted as saying demand for his services are on the rise amongst black women:

Is Cheating an "African custom"?
NO: That's a misconception; cheating happens in any culture.
43 %
YES: Our mothers have been dealing with unfaithful men for generations.
7 %
Hey! Cheating isn't just a guy thing! Everybody, everywhere, cheats sometimes. It's human nature.
49 %
36.
In response to an article on abandoned newborns and a quote by one teen that it was "fashionable" to have a baby at school and this was why so many teens were having them:

Is it REALLY fashionable to have a baby at school?
YES: That is the way teens see it at my school / in my community
11 %
NO: I think teens who fall pregnant need to pretend it's "cool"
40 %
MAYBE: but letting a newborn baby die is totally uncool no matter which way you look at it.
47 %
37.
Valentine's Day Poll:

Is Valentine's Day overrated?
YES: It's a marketing tool to sell pink, white and red merchandise and fluffy toys.
34 %
NO: we need to spoil our loved ones and pay tribute to our love - even if it's for just one day.
65 %
38.
In response to a blogger's article: "I am Man, Hear me Squeak"

People say that Men and Women are Equal in today's world - Do you think this is true?
YES: Men and women have the same opportunities and the same challenges.
43 %
NO: Women are more challenged because they have to raise children AND earn a living.
35 %
MAYBE: But society has yet to catch up to the equality enshrined in our constitution.
20 %
39
In response to a blogger's article about how he hates being chased by a girl and prefers to do the chasing himself:

Should guys do the chasing and girls do the waiting?
YES
65 %
NO
34 %
40.
In response to a News story about a girl whose parents wanted her to stay in a relationship with her older HIV+ boyfriend because he was supporting them. This prompted a blog article by a blogger about a similar situation.

Should Lebo break up with her sugardaddy?
YES: She is being used and could put her life in danger by getting infected with HIV.
90 %
NO: She's helping her family in the only way she can.
9 %
41.
In response to HIV+ porn actor in Hollywood closing down the industry for a week while everybody got tested and people debated the need for porn stars to wear condoms, and the related issues around depicting porn sex scenes where nobody is taking precautions:

Should porn actors wear condoms?
YES
80%
NO
19%
42.
In response to a story about a male blogger falling in love with a gay girl, run alongside a story by a gay girl realizing she was gay for the first time when she fell in love with a school friend:

What would you do if you fell in love with the WRONG person?
IGNORE IT! I'd do my best to move right along.
27 %
GO WITH IT! I'll try anything once and apply brakes if it doesn't work.
32 %
DEPENDS: some people are TOO wrong (aunties, sisters, cousins) but others could be interesting.
39 %
43.
In response to a story about the prevalence of certain church pastors calling on parishioners to rely on God's healing and not take ARV meds when they are HIV-positive:

Would you rely on God alone to save you from HIV?
YES: I would put my life and health in God's hands.
21 %
NO: I would get onto an ARV programme AND pray for God's assistance.
78 %
44.
In response to an article on getting into a relationship with a person who already has children:

Would you think twice about getting into a relationship with a woman who has a child from a previous relationship?
YES: it's too complicated when there is a child is involved.
23 %
NO: women who have children are caring and supportive.
11 %
MAYBE: if you love her enough, you can make it work.
64 %
45.
Whose Job is it to carry the condoms?
His – Penises belong to guys, so condoms are a guy's responsibility.
8%
Hers – Girls who don't look out for themselves end up as statistics.
2%
Both – Carrying condoms is not SOMEbody's job, it is EVERYbody's job.
89%
46.
In response to a story on a US man convicted of attempted homicide after a failed attempt to force his wife to have an abortion at gunpoint. It was a groundbreaking US case asking whether abortion was murder.

Do you believe that abortion is murder?
YES
82%
NO
17%
47.
In response to a story about sex in public places:

Have you had sex in a car?
YES: I liked it.
20%
YES: I had to get some privacy!
13%
NO: I'm not that desperate.
66%
48.
In response to a story on an Indian man who had 39 wives and was looking for more:

How many wives are too many?
One is enough - together, forever, til death do you part.
78 %
No one person can fulfill you forever- polygamy gives you options.
4 %
2 or 3 - but no more - that's greedy or weird, no matter what culture you're from.
6 %
A big family benefits everybody - polygamy means no divorce, no single mothers, no abandoned children.
10 %
49.
In response to a story on rural African women struggling to say 'No' to their husbands, or ask for safe sex:

Many men expect sex on demand from their women. Do you agree with this statement?
YES: men think they 'own' a woman if they pay lobola
35 %
NO: women are able to say 'no' whatever the situation.
21 %
MAYBE: sometimes it's difficult for a woman to say 'no'.
18 %
SOMETIMES: but many women demand sex too!
23 %
50.
In response to an article on the SA government testing school children for HIV:

Are children ready to know their status?
YES: everybody must know their status to prevent HIV infection at schools.
65 %
NO: there is not enough support or HIV-education in our society to protect children living with HIV from stigma, rejection and depression.
34%

Regional poll
Tell us where you live:

Eastern Cape 7 %
Free State 7 %
Gauteng 24 %
KwaZulu-Natal 14 %
Limpopo 16 %
Mpumalanga 15 %
North West 8 %
Northern Cape 2 %
Western Cape 4 %

 

Also Available:
• Full press release
• YouTube video
• Slideshare presentation

Contact
Marcha Neethling
Praekelt Foundation
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 413 2002
Email: marcha@praekeltfoundation.org
Website: praekeltfoundation.org