New polling* from The Common Sense and the Social Research Foundation shows that most voters want South African companies to be allowed to look for oil and gas if it helps the country produce its own oil. In October 2026, 88% said yes, either with full support or with careful regulation, and only 11% said no. The view crosses population groups. Among black voters, 91% said yes. Among coloured voters, 86% said yes, and among white voters, 72% said yes. The chart below shows how voters, and each population group, answered.

*The figures come from the Social Research Foundation's October 2026 Market Survey, conducted in conjunction with The Common Sense, a national telephone poll of 3 100 registered voters between 18 September and 12 October 2026, with results weighted to the registered voter population. The survey has a design effect of 3.3044.