This will be the third census in democratic South Africa and the exercise will continue until October 31. Apart from being a part of the 2010 round of African censuses whose aim it is to provide comprehensive data for improved planning and to aid developmental initiatives on the continent; the undertaking of a census informs government’s planning frameworks and advances the ethos of evidence based decision-making e.g. with respect to distribution and allocation of government funds at all tiers of government for delivery of basic services, measuring and monitoring the impact of government policies and programmes thus enabling prioritization of resources based on need e.g. location of a school or clinic.
Private sector organisations also use census data for business planning and market related purposes. It’s evident and beyond any shadow of doubt that the subsequent gains of such an exercise are vital and immense even to the ordinary man in the street; yet in other spheres of the society, the motive and process of such an exercise are often unknown, overlooked or worse still misrepresented and misunderstood resulting in people circumventing the exercise. I will address a few of such misconceptions here.
Everyone counts
Everyone inside of the country counts irrespective of legality of status. Census is conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), a body of highly skilled and competent professionals who apart from retaining and processing all information collected; adhere to a code of conduct prohibitive of divulging personal details.
Census 2011 is neither meant to “flush out” those who failed to secure general work permits nor is it meant to note whether or not one is in the country legally. To be counted (or enumerated as we call it); one need not necessarily be a South African citizen or to possess a valid SA id document no, for as long as one is inside the country, they must be enumerated.
Census 2011 is not only for those in towns and suburbs but for all, including farmers and farm labourers, those in institutions, the homeless etc. So if for instance one is a domestic worker, the census is not just for the landlord and/or landlady and their family; hence the domestic worker must also actively ensure interaction with the enumerator.
If you live in a secluded place or high walled area, it is imperative that you make prior arrangements to be enumerated.
For your safety
Census enumerators (i.e. those who will be visiting your homes to count) will wear distinctive “Census 2011” regalia which will soon be advertised nationally and will carry identification cards which will display their names and contact (toll-free) numbers should you wish to crosscheck and of course, all this is meant for your safety and ensuring that no imposters deceive respondents.
The enumeration process is more than just a head count as the questionnaire will have different sections to be completed but should not however take too long.
Remember, enumerators will not be there to allocate resources such as a RDP houses / stands or asylum papers etc. Once a household has been enumerated, a sticker will be placed to mark that household as enumerated to avoid duplication, it’s not meant to identify any household as target for xenophobic or other ultra motives, no.
Allow for that sticker to remain once it has been pasted. Lastly, much as our conscience bears witness when we have done right, so should we all yearn to be counted and ensure so this October – Census 2011 is here, you count. – Visit www.statssa.gov.za for more information
Post published in: News