By Richard Mantu and Mantshele wa ga Tau
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The results of the Census 2001 should help the country plan better in order to further improve the quality of lives of all South Africans, says President Thabo Mbeki.
The President has urged decision makers at various levels of society to use the Census report to measure progress from their different development programmes.
The Statistician General, Pali Lehohla, presented the Census 2001 report to Mr Mbeki at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, today.
The Census 2001 report shows that the South African population grew from 40.5 million people in October 1996 to 44.8 million people in October 2001.
Amongst others, the Census 2001 recorded a change in life circumstances of many people, as seen in the increase in access to electricity used for lighting of every seven households out of ten (70 percent). This compared to 56 percent in 1996. It also showed that 85 percent of people were now able to drink clean water.
Nevertheless, the historic report highlighted the need to ensure that the sanitation supply was consistant with the growth of households. The results show that the number of households in the country grew from nine million in 1996 to 11.2 million in October 2001.
'I hope all of us who have to take decisions at various levels of our society would indeed use this information so that we plan better, we measure better, whether the things we intended to do produced the outcomes that we intended.
'That we continue to maintain this critical look at ourselves as to where society is going. I think it is very good that we have people with such respect for facts,' President Mbeki said.
'The Census 2001 has empowered the country to move further forward,' he added.
Mr Lehohla said the two Census reports completed in South Africa since the dawn of democracy provided tools for measuring and monitoring the pace of level implementation of policies and their effects on people.
'The results of Census 2001 represents the mirror of change in people life circumstances. From this socio-economic and demographic enquiry, South Africa will know what South Africa needs.'
At the cost of almost R1 billion, the Census 2001, according to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, was a remarkable achievement, confirming the improved quality of lives of people in the country and was consistent with the promise of democracy.
'The Census 2001 will add the rich tapestry of democracy still being woven in our country. It draws attention to the enormity of the challenges which confronts us.' - BuaNews
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