Chairperson, Statistics South Africa and the Statistician- General have experienced much pressure and criticism in the past for unreliable and inconsequent data, among others from me. This was not because the DA was just criticising the government as a principle, but because the implications of the work output from Stats SA is so very important in so many ways in our society. Good, reliable, credible and current statistics are of paramount importance.
Often the collection of data and the interpretation thereof into contextualised information that can be used to improve the livelihoods of all South Africans are perceived as boring and repetitive work with little intellectual challenge. The reality is that we require reliable and competent staff in the collection of data, as well as highly qualified technocrats to correctly interpret these into reliable data that can be used by all and sundry to interpret past performances and trends, and to project outcomes and trends in the future. We therefore require good quality, knowledgeable and highly trained staff who can assure that data is reliable, credible and applicable to daily decision-making.
Die beplande sensusopname waarvoor nou voorsiening gemaak word in hierdie begroting, is van kritiese belang. Die persepsie bestaan tans, ook by die komitee, dat verkeerde statistieke beskikbaar is as gevolg van onderwaardasie van getalle en dat verkeerde besluite dus geneem word. Besluite word nie net geneem op grond van die migrasie van inwoners oor 'n tydperk nie, maar ook ten opsigte van die toepasbaarheid daarvan in ons moderne samelewing. Dit is baie belangrik dat elke amptenaar en burger van Suid-Afrika in die proses saamwerk, sodat ons betroubare en werkbare statistiese data kan verkry.
Daar word tans jaarliks deur die Nasionale Tesourie 'n verdeling van inkomstes na provinsies gemaak, gegrond op die beskikbare sensusstatistieke, soos ook deur die Minister genoem. In die Wes-Kaap bestaan die persepsie dat daar baie meer mense binne die grense van die provinsie woonagtig is as wat in die laaste sensus weergegee word, en waardeur die Wes-Kaap dus minder as sy regmatige deel van die verdeling na provinsies ontvang.
Hierdie provinsie - die enigste een waar die Minister van Finansies nie fondse vir projekte oor infrastruktuur teruggetrek het nie - kan dus die regering verder help met dienslewering deur groter begrotingstoewysings te kry nadat Sensus 2011 die groter getal inwoners bevestig het. Dit sal die Wes-Kaap in die posisie plaas om meer volhoubare dienste aan meer mense te kan lewer. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The planned census survey, which is currently being provided for in this budget, is of critical importance. At the moment the perception exists, also within the committee, that the statistics available are incorrect as a result of underestimating the figures, and wrong decisions are therefore taken. Decisions are not only being made on the basis of residents' migration over a period of time, but also in respect of its suitability within our modern society. It is very important for every official and every citizen of South Africa to work together during this process in order for us to obtain credible and workable statistical data.
Currently, National Treasury provides for the division of revenue among provinces annually based on the available census statistics, as the Minister has also mentioned. There is a perception in the Western Cape that many more people are residing within the borders of the province than were reflected in the previous census, thus causing the Western Cape to receive less than its rightful share of the division of revenue among provinces.
This province - the only one where the Minister of Finance did not withdraw funds for infrastructure-related projects - could therefore further assist government with service delivery by receiving increased budget allocations once Census 2011 has confirmed the greater number of residents. This will put the Western Cape in a position to be able to deliver more sustainable services to more people.]
Some of the important information from correct statistics that will have a profound impact on the management of our economy includes correct statistics on unemployment, specifically those that relate to the broader definition of unemployment. In this regard, credible information from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey and the Quarterly Employment Survey will be of critical importance. Also of crucial importance will be economic growth figures that will influence the Gross Domestic Product and Production Price Index results; the measuring of inflation and the correct content and balance of the Consumer Price Index basket regarding its relevance to the ever-changing society we live in; production figures and the state of affairs in the various strategic New Growth Path sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, the green economy, etc, and how these compare with our competitors; the performance of government in respect of the published strategic objectives and Millennium Development Goals; and levels of education, which is essential for a knowledge-based economic development programme.
Dit is belangrik dat die Sensus 2011 korrupsievry moet wees, nie net wat die insameling van data betref nie, maar ook wat die besteding van die begrote fondse betref. Die bestuur van die proses sal die geloofwaardigheid en bruikbaarheid van die inligting benvloed, waarop besluite in die toekoms geneem moet word.
Dit is veral belangrik dat betroubare data van die informele sektor verkry word, waar buitelanders onder die radarskerm werk en waar miljoene rande in omloop is. Tans is dit 'n verlies vir die Nasionale Tesourie.
Die komitee sal dus baie goeie oorsig moet uitoefen oor beide die proses sowel as die besteding van die enorme begroting. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[It is important for Census 2011 to be free from corruption, not only with regard to collecting the data, but also with regard to spending the budgeted funds. The way in which the process is managed will influence the credibility and usefulness of the information upon which future decisions should be based.
It is especially important to obtain credible data from the informal sector, where foreigners are working under the radar and where millions of rands are being circulated. This is currently a loss to National Treasury.
The committee will therefore have to exercise very good oversight over both the process, as well as the spending of this enormous budget. I thank you.]