This, as Statistics South Africa ignites plans to count the entire population during 2021 but will before that conduct the Census 2021 Mini Test as of next month on the 9th, to 6 November 2019 in selected areas around the country. The Census Project Director, Calvin Mologoane, tells OFM News that the tests are in preparation of the year 2021 now that they will be changing their operation model from manual to electronic gadgets when capturing and processing data. He says they will also be availing electronic connections for households who would like to complete the questionnaire themselves. Mologoane highlights that the participation of all citizens is crucial in that the population numbers captured, shapes the planning of government and allocation of revenue to the different provinces.

He says the tests set to kick off next month will be conducted in Buffalo City, Ekurhuleni, Mangaung, UMgungundlovu, Polokwane, Emalahleni, Kimberley, Rustenburg, and Cape Town.

“This testing phase also affords communities an opportunity to also share with us what would be the best way to engage with them so that, come the time when they have to undertake this important civic duty of completing the Census instrument, then they would have been part of informing the processes that they can consider going forward”.

Mologoane adds that they are confident in the new gadgets that will be used. They have also beefed up security measures against cybercrime in the preparation of the new methods that will be rolled out.

OFM News