Post development theory has been clear in its rejection of conventional development, but little attention has been paid to public opinion in Africa and at scale. Using Afrobarometer survey data, I measure attitudes towards conventional development in 11 Southern African countries (N = 14 708). I find that individuals mostly perceive UN agencies to be a positive influence, and that global North countries are the most popular model for development. I hypothesise that this result is due to cultural imperialism and the effect of Western mass media. I disconfirm this hypothesis by finding no relationship between news consumption and development preferences. These results indicate that individuals in Southern Africa still desire conventional development, and that this desire may not be a direct result of media consumption. Other factors, such as education level, are more important predictors of development preferences. Should post-development continue to insist on its rejection of development, such a position will require meaningful engagement with the popular demand for development in Global South contexts.