Statistics play a vital role in every field of human activity. They have an important role in determining the existing position of per capita income, unemployment, population growth rate, housing, schooling and medical facilities. They can also be used as a tool to determine what developmental direction and posture government policy must assume, said the Minister in the Presidency, Mr Jeff Radebe, during the Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Budget Vote debate. 

Without data, it will be difficult for government to set targets or to gauge its progress, he said. “Statistics are not only crucial in assessing our current status, but they form the basis of any future planning. For without indicators, without comparative data of any kind, it is nearly impossible to set yourself any growth targets or even gauge your own progress. Evidence that is scientific is what we need.”

But such data has to be a dependable and independent entity, he said. “A key feature of such evidence is that it should be led and produced by a skilled and competent staff complement. It has to have a dependable and credible system produced under conditions of independence. Stats SA is one such institution and it conducts business under conditions of independence.”

We shall reform our system by delivering a revamped and enabling statistical law, he said. “To this end, we shall give momentum to this process by hosting the 28th International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) to be held in Cape Town in October this year.

He gave a broad overview of the current allocations for the R2.1bn budget of Stats SA. “Of the current 2016/2017 financial year budget of R2.1bn, R229m is for economic statistics, R128m to population and social statistics, methodology and research is allocated R67m, statistical support and informatics has R258m, statistical collection and outreach is allocated R585m, survey operations is R191m and finally administration, which pays for office accommodation, transport, training and other central services, and the national statistics system coordination is allocated R688m.”

These allocations seek to ensure that Statistics SA continues to provide a product that is sought after which provides government with much-needed information to improve the economic and social state of our country, he said.

“In spite of its budget cuts, we need to ensure that this entity is capacitated to enable this institution to deliver in an integrated manner. The R2.1bn won’t be sufficient to fund all of its projects, but we must protect Stats SA’s credibility with what we have from declining.”

The Whip of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration and Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Regina Lesoma, decried the budget cuts experienced by the entity in this financial year. “As a Committee we are concerned about the budget cuts of Stats SA because they might affect its independence and quality of its products. We are of the view that we need to further secure the resources its need to retain its professionalism. 

“We also want Stats SA’s data to find expression in government policy-making to ensure that such policies are evidence-based. That can ensure that we use date to improve service delivery,” she said.

Without credible data to conduct the monitoring and evaluation of our policies, the National Development Plan stands on shaky grounds,” said Mr Yusuf Cassim. “The challenge we are faced with is how do we use the information produced by Stats SA to realise it objectives. If we do, the lofty grounds of the National Development Plan will be in our grasp,” he said.  

“We support this budget,” said Ms Ntombovuyo Mente, “because we know productive leadership when we see one. The independence and quality data that Stats SA produces can reverse our social ills and as such we cannot do without Stats SA. But its budget cuts will compromise the quality of its work and its independence.”

“The question that needs to be asked is what do we do with all the information that Stats SA provides us with,” asked Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa.

“Our departments must use the research outcomes of Stats SA to coordinate their data. Currently, that is not the case, every department collates its own data independently of Stats SA. It time they showed confidence in the credibility of Stats SA’s data for their own policy coordination,” he said.

“Data can be accumulated, but its utilisation depends on the political will of the state,” said Mr Nhlanhlakayise Khubisa. He praised Stats SA’s excellence in data research and analysis. “We wish that other government entities could emulate your success,” he said.

By Abel Mputing
18 May 2017