MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Proper planning requires accurate statistics, and to ensure that the Western Cape Province receives its fair share of national funding, every citizen should cooperate with the 2022 Census.

This was voiced by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde during a recent briefing to the Western Cape Cabinet.

Mossel Bay executive mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, appealed to residents to cooperate with census takers currently working in the area.

"Every resident's cooperation is essential to obtain credible population statistics. These statistics are essential for effective future planning and proper financial management."

"The previous census was in 2011. At that time, about 18% of the population statistics for the Western Cape were under-counted.

More than ten years have lapsed. It is, therefore, important to obtain reliable statistics on which to base planning for social, economic and security issues," said Premier Winde.

It appears the 2022 Census survey in the Western Cape lags behind the other provinces. In the Western Cape Province, 49% of residents have been reached. In the rest of the country, 83.3% of the population has been counted. 

Counting differs in the various districts - 70% of residents in the Central Karoo were reached, while 46% of residents in the Cape Town Metro, 60% of the Garden Route, 61% in the Overberg and 54% in the West Coast were counted.

"While not negating the safety and security fears, I nevertheless appeal to residents to give their full cooperation when the census takers approach them.

The correct, reliable statistics will affect planning for the next ten plus years.

It is, therefore, essential that we take the opportunity to get the 2022 census figures as reliable as possible," said Alderman Kotzé.

Link

Mayor Kotzé encourages residents, where possible, to use the following internet link to complete the census survey themselves:

https://getcounted.statssa.gov.za/#!/home

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