When comparing their personal economic situation with that of a year ago, only 31 percent of South Africans believe that they are better off while 29 percent reported that they are actually worse off compared with a year ago.

These figures are from research carried out by Ipsos Markinor in November last year, and published on Tuesday, just ahead of Wednesday's budget to be tabled by Pravin Gordhan in the National Assembly.

The pollsters added that just over a third (36 percent) reported that their personal economic situation has remained unchanged over the last year, although more South Africans (46 percent) are positive that their personal economic situation will improve in a year's time compared with 42 percent in November 2008.

The researchers also noted that only 18 percent of South Africans feel that the government is performing very well or fairly well in terms of controlling rising food prices, and that only 36 percent believe that government is doing a good job of controlling inflation.

One in every two South Africans (50 percent) indicated that they feel that government is narrowing the income gap between the different race groups.

"Despite tough economic conditions, South Africans are slightly more positive about their personal economic conditions compared with a year ago", said Anneke Greyling, political analyst at Ipsos Markinor.

"Looking at how South Africans evaluate their current economic situation compared with a year ago, we see a slight shift towards a more positive feeling, and the same rings true when asked about the future. However, when we analyse how South Africans evaluate the government's performance in key economic policy areas, the picture is bleak and the Minister of Finance has his work cut out for him."