Map of South Africa highlighting kwaZulu-Natal province and the four towns in which focus groups were held.

Map of South Africa highlighting kwaZulu-Natal province and the four towns in which focus groups were held.

Is fracking activity in KZN not widely known? Or isn’t a concern? While KZN was the province in which most (just over 30%) survey respondents claimed residence, it ranked fourth in provinces believed to be affected by fracking:

Relative distribution of survey respondents by the provinces in which they live, and the provinces they believe will be affected by fracking.

Relative distribution of survey respondents by the provinces in which they live, and the provinces they believe will be affected by fracking.

Most frequently-identified concerns among survey respondents. Major focus on pollution, especially water, less on surface disruptions like impacts to farm management, infrastructure, and communities.

Most frequently-identified concerns among survey respondents. Major focus on pollution, especially water, less on surface disruptions like impacts to farm management, infrastructure, and communities.

Degree to which survey respondents agreed with various statements of a five-point Likert scale, Strongly disagree - Strongly agree. Agreement index and associated 95% confidence intervals determined by a fancy script I made up (but its published so its all good).

Degree to which survey respondents agreed with various statements of a five-point Likert scale, Strongly disagree - Strongly agree. Agreement index and associated 95% confidence intervals determined by a fancy script I made up (but its published so its all good).