Stats SA conducts trial census run in Limpopo

Monday’s visit of field workers of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) to the Mankweng area was a great success and they were overwhelmed by the hospitality of the community.
The workers were accompanied by Calvin Molongoana, Statistician General of South Africa, Stats SA Census Project Director, Risenga Maluleke and Stats SA Provincial Head, Nthambeleni Mukwevho and the exercise was in preparation for the population count, Census 2021. The field workers for the first time used digital devices to collect date during this trial run and the trial run will be followed by an independent survey called the Post Enumeration Survey from 14 November until 13 December this year.
Data collected in a census is used by government and other sectors of society for planning and decision making, including the implementation of the Division of Revenue Act and Stats SA aims to reduce the level of undercount to enhance the integrity of information.
“We rely on the media to promote the project and to introduce our field workers to the public. They are easily identified by the green attire and caps as well as identification documents,” Maluleke said.
The day’s programme culminated in the handover of computer equipment to Maphefo Primary School and Stats SA Provincial Head, Nthambeleni Mukwevho explained that that the computers that were donated to the school will be installed with statistical programmes to increase statistical literacy amongst learners as Stats SA gears itself towards counting the population in the 2021 census. “Introducing statistical data at this level of education will empower learners to become aware of the importance of and encourage them to study in related fields in future,” Mukhevho said.

Story/photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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