I see in this Chamber you do not cross the floor but simply jump. So let's beware!
A census, as we know it today, is a relatively new tool to assist governments to govern more effectively. In 1940, only 45 countries conducted a census. Ten years later it went up to 68. In 1960, only 77 countries conducted a census. The United States led the first census in 1790 and counted only 3,9 million Americans. This was later adjusted by the then President Jefferson to 4,1 million. Today, the United States is a leading nation in running successful censuses.
It is interesting to note that in 1960, the undercount in America and Europe was about 2,6%. In Asia it was 8% and in Africa 10%. These error ranges would have been considerably lower if those responsible did account for losses in accuracy in each year since 1960. If this was done, error ranges could have been as low as 3,5% in Africa.
South Africa was late in introducing scientific population censuses when compared with other British colonies. The pre-1990 census lacked credibility. In 1996, the census was flawed and, by the admission of the department itself:
Documentation of key elements was not properly classified, catalogued and archived. The result: the strategic and operational planning for some key areas of the 2001 census was not based on the lessons and the experiences of the 1996 census.
Because of that, the undercount of 10% in 1996 went up to a whopping 17% in 2001. The average in African countries and globally is now less than 5%. This year, 2011, is the make-or-break year in the census history of this country. South Africans need better treatment this time, but they must realise that the success of the census will depend on their individual participation. Our campaign must convince South Africans this time that it is in their interest to participate and make sure they are counted.
South Africans must trust the process and embrace it. I hope that we shall see the necessary public relations, PR, campaigns to involve us all. Let us in Parliament, like previous speakers said, and all legislatures play an active role. What we have done for the World Cup in 2010, we should do for Census 2011. Why? Because a census is a useful and accurate idea of the make-up of the population and allows governments to provide services and allocate funding to those who should get it.
Therefore, if you do not participate, you loose. Remember, in the politics of population you can eliminate yourself, and thereby your services, by not participating. The amount of funding allocated is directly related to how many and what kind of people the census shows live in an area. It is a very effective tool to combat poverty. However, this census needs to include everyone, everywhere. South Africans must understand this and the Statistician-General's information campaigns must communicate this simple message.
The rich and the poor of this country must jointly embrace the census. Individuals must understand that the census is not a method to spy on them. A census is not a state of surveillance; it is not to be used against specific population groups, as we saw in Nazi-controlled Europe, or the Soviet Union, or apartheid South Africa.
Please make sure this time that people stay around their homes during the census, that they understand that they need to participate, that they assist officials and that they trust the process. They must know that it is confidential, and that the census, or the particular official, will not compromise their security, and that Agri SA is invited to assist and partner this process on farms. Let's not falter and make the same mistakes again.
Let's convince all South Africans that modern governments require information upon which to operate and make judgements. Let's all realise the importance of participating in this census and make sure government funding is correctly allocated to better services. Let's all count on this census and stand up to be counted. Cope shall support the Budget Vote. [Applause.]