Research News South Africa

SA's naughty research shows Gauteng has more sex

The annual Sexpo Survey, which examines some of South Africa's naughtier traits, was released yesterday, Monday, 7 September 2009. The research, conducted online, sampled around 3000 respondents, mostly between 25-40 years with 45% being women.

According to results, women continue to up the naughty ante, with 42% of women claiming to have sex more than once a week and 14% have sex at least three times a week. Thirty-nine percent of men claim to have sex once a week while only 8% say they get it three times a week or more.

Far more sex

Gautengers, in general, have far more sex than other South Africans do, with their closest rivals being KwaZulu-Natal.

Although 94% of respondents believe marriage remains an important social institution, more than 52% of married participants admit to being unfaithful. Sixty nine percent of respondents claim to be in a relationship at the time of completing the survey.

The vast majority of South Africans (37%) claim to have had between 5 - 10 sexual partners during their adult lives, while 28% have had between 10 - 20 partners. Sixteen percent had between 20 - 60 partners, while a 21% minority had fewer than four partners.

Last year, 26% of men said that they would indulge in a threesome. This remains unchanged but this year 48% say that they had had more than one sexual partner at the same time during their adult lives.

Women are slightly more conservative, with only 13% admitting to a hankering for a ménage au trois and even fewer (4%) have had more than one sexual partner at the same time.

Almost half of the female respondents say that it is healthy to experiment with bisexuality, with 43% giving it the nod, yet only 27% admit to ever having done the deed with a member of the same sex. Men were not as keen on sexual versatility, with only 11% okaying same sex encounters and admitting to it. Forty seven percent claim to have tried the Kama Sutra or tantric sex. Others were less adventurous, with 19% of South Africans preferring the missionary position above all else.

It's show time

It seems we are becoming a nation of exhibitionists, too, with 31% keen to participate in amateur strip competitions (42% female). Nude photography seems in vogue; both men (28%) and women (37%) agree that it is a great idea. Role-play and dressing up scored well, with both men (64%) and women (57%) noting its appeal. Going commando, or the trend of not wearing underwear, as inspired by Basic Instinct, appeals to the majority of South Africans, with 73% indicating this preference from time to time.

Pornography is enjoyed by 87% of South Africans; the largest number of men and women consuming naughty videos reside in Cape Town (43%), followed by Gauteng and then KwaZulu-Natal. The number of women owning sex toys rocketed from 29% in 2008 to a whopping 56% this year. Twenty four percent of women still say no to sexual toys, while the balance remains unsure.

Other results include:


  • 8% of South Africans were virgins by the time that they tied the knot
  • 28% of South Africans would choose a Vegas style quickie wedding over a traditional ceremony
  • 64% of respondents have visited a Sexpo
  • 71% of respondents have had sex in a public place
  • 85% of respondents said that they would watch pornography with their partners, 4% said they never would and the balance was undecided

Sexpo takes place 1-4 October 2009 at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, Gauteng. For more, go to www.sexpo.co.za.

Let's do Biz