Stats SA community surveys underway

STATISTICS South Africa (Stats SA), through its nine provincial offices across the country, has started the period of data collection for the Community Survey (CS) 2016 and it will run between March and April.

Community Survey is a large-scale survey which is conducted in-between censuses. A census is conducted on a 10-year interval.

The last Census Stats SA conducted was in 2011 and the next one happens in 2021.

Stats SA eThekwini district manager, Armstrong Luhlongwane, said, “The concentrated areas are Pinetown up to Hillcrest and Durban central.”

The purpose of a CS is to try and bridge the gap between the two censuses. It produces information at municipal level, required for planning and decision-making across all levels of government.

The survey focuses on measurement of access to facilities and services, such as water, sanitation and electricity; measurement of demographic factors such as fertility, mortality and migration; and measurement of socio-economic factors, such as employment and poverty statistics.

Over 10 000 fieldworkers in the entire country will be visiting 1.3 million scientifically-selected households and assist in the completion of questionnaires. This time around, Stats SA uses electronic questionnaires, unlike the traditional pen-and-paper method where hard copy questionnaires were used to collect from sampled households.

“Selected households are requested to participate in this important survey, as this will not only benefit them as individual households, but the whole country in general,” said Luhlongwane.

Stats SA fieldworkers can be identified by Stats SA identity cards, branded yellow caps and over-shirts (bibs), a shoulder bag (satchel) and branded vehicles.

“A special appeal is extended to the community members to ensure the safety and security of these government officials as they traverse the areas,” said Luhlongwe.

Contact Stats SA official, Armstrong Luhlongwane, on 082 888 2123 or 031 304 0290.