The fieldworkers deployed around the country will collect data from all households, institutions, and from those who live on the streets and under the bridges. Visitors, legal and illegal immigrants will also be counted to ensure that everyone present in the country during the period of the census is counted.
What is a population census?
A population census, as defined by the United Nations, is "the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analysing and publishing or otherwise disseminating demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time, to all persons in a country or a well-defined part of the country".
The four essential features of the census are:
- individual enumeration
- universality within the agreed territorial boundaries
- simultaneity: conducted at the same time for all persons, and
- defined periodicity
For many people, the census may be the only time that the state reaches them and asks them a question.
A population census is typically held every five years, but because of a lack of capacity within Statistics South Africa, it was decided that the interval will be extended to 10 years. A Community Survey was conducted in the place of the 2006 census.
The importance of a population census
The census plays an essential role in public administration. The results are used to ensure:
- equity in distribution of government services
- distributing and allocating government funds among various regions and districts for education and health services
- delineating electoral districts at national and local levels, and
- measuring the impact of industrial development, to name a few.
Census also provides information on small areas and population groups with minimum sampling errors. This is important, for example, in planning the location of a school or clinic.
Census information is also invaluable for use in the private sector for activities such as business planning and market analyses.
The information is used as a benchmark in research and analysis.
Operations in Mossel Bay
The operations for Census 2011 in the Mossel Bay Municipal Area are managed by the Riversdale Satellite office. The Mossel Bay Municipality comprises of Three Hundred and Ten (310) Enumeration Areas. The total staff complement for this area will be in access of 400 people of which everyone will be on contract.
From 24 September until 3 October 2011, 409 Fieldworkers in Mossel Bay were thoroughly trained to ensure that the data collected from households is of high quality.
Data collection will be done over period of twenty one days, from 10 October to 31 October and the final results will be released in March 2013.
Statistics South Africa makes a plea on all citizens in the Mossel Bay area to open their doors to our fieldworkers during this period.
The 2011 Census forms part of the 2010 round of African censuses, which aim to provide comprehensive data on the continent, for improved planning and to aid development.
Visit www.statssa.gov.za for more information about Stats SA and previous censuses.
