All respondents claim to know someone among their peers who has committed or tried to commit suicide, someone who is HIV-positive or has AIDS, or who has died from AIDS, and someone who has been the victim of a serious crime. Magazines continued to have a low readership, mainly because of lack of money. Other findings that have not changed much since the previous study in 1998 include the fact that transport is predominantly by taxi and township youth lack leisure facilities. The most important things young Sowetans spend on are clothes, films, clubs, eating out and alcohol, the report says. Preferred shopping venues have moved from the city centre to upmarket suburban malls, and clothes shops dominate the list of favourite haunts.
Boyfriends continue to pay for many items, including clothing and entertainment.