Mhlauli urges South Africans to participate in Census 2031

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has emphasised the importance of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) in helping government plan and deliver essential services to communities.

Speaking at an event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the census in democratic South Africa, Mhlauli said reliable population data enables government to identify where schools, clinics and other essential services are needed.

“The data you produce enables the government to see where schools, clinics and essential services are needed, where resources must be redirected, where progress is being made and where it is not,” she said.

Mhlauli said credible statistics were essential for evidence-based planning in the country's constitutional democracy.

She highlighted the role ordinary South Africans play in producing accurate data, explaining that census information depends on households cooperating with fieldworkers and answering questions about their living conditions, employment, access to water and education.

The Deputy Minister acknowledged challenges facing census participation, including privacy concerns, restricted access to residential complexes, people's mobility and scepticism about whether taking part would improve their lives.

She said public trust must be built continuously through transparency, communication in all official languages and partnerships with traditional leaders, faith communities, councillors, residents' associations and community development workers.

Mhlauli added that communities should be shown how the information they provide is used to inform government decisions.

Call to participate in Census 2031

Census 2022 was conducted in February 2022 and was the fourth population and housing census in post-apartheid South Africa. Previous censuses were conducted in 1996, 2001 and 2011.

A census provides information about the country's population, demographic trends and household conditions, helping government plan public services and allocate resources.

Mhlauli thanked South Africans who had participated in censuses and other household surveys over the past 30 years, describing their participation as an act of citizenship.

She urged residents to cooperate when Census 2031 takes place, whether by welcoming fieldworkers or completing the census online when invited.

“Your answers are not merely data. They are your voice in the planning of your country's future,” she said.

The Deputy Minister also commended Stats SA employees for their work in producing official statistics that inform government planning, budget allocations and service delivery.

Stats SA is responsible for collecting, processing, analysing and disseminating official statistics, including gross domestic product, employment figures, census results, household surveys and provincial financial statistics.