IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

The statistics published in this month’s issue of Mbalo Brief are mostly from March 2021, which marks a year since the start of the lockdown restrictions in South Africa as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the tourism industry is still struggling, partly due to the decrease in the number of international visitors, it   read more »

Just over a year after Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) suspended face-toface data collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation issued a note on 26 April 2021 that the surveys are due to be undertaken. The Survey Officers (SOs) have returned to the field to collect data from households that have been selected to   read more »

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic has posed some challenges on the education in South Africa and across the globe. Many learners, students, lecturers, teachers and even parents and guardians were forced to transition from the contact (physical classroom) learning environment to virtual learning. Parents and guardians instantly became teachers overnight as they had to assist   read more »

On 14 February 2021, the rand was turning 60 years. The rand was first introduced as a South African currency on 14 February 1961, the year South Africa became a republic and Queen Elizabeth ceased to be head of state. The rand takes its name from the Witwatersrand – the ridge on which Johannesburg is   read more »

On 21 January 2021, the country received the sad news of the passing of Minister in the Presidency, Mr Jackson Mthembu due to COVID-19 complications. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) was one of the government departments that the Minister was responsible for. According to the Statistician-General (Head of Statistics South Africa) Mr Risenga Maluleke, the   read more »

African Health Ministers gathered for the 17th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Brazzaville to assess the region’s efforts in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, with more calls to step up vigilance and to prevent a possible resurgence of infections. According to WHO Regional Committee for Africa, most African countries   read more »

The World Economic Forum says that 65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in completely new job types that do not yet exist. This is because many countries and industries are rapidly evolving. What is considered to be in demand now, is not what was in demand 10 years ago and will   read more »

In South Africa, the month of September is known as Heritage Month with Heritage Day being celebrated on 24 September. Heritage Day is declared a public holiday and it is celebrated annually to mark our nation’s diverse culture and heritage. This year the celebrations took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 theme   read more »

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) is conducting the first ever digital Census trial in preparation for the upcoming Census in 2021. The Census 2021 Trial, which started from 10 August to 06 September 2020 in selected areas around the country, will test online and telephonic data collection to prepare for remote data collection in 2021. Census 2021 is   read more »

On 28 July 2020, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) published the Quarterly employment statistics (QES) survey results for the first quarter of 2020. According to the survey, the formal non-agricultural sector shed 3 000 jobs in the first quarter of 2020. This brings the total number of persons employed in the formal non-agricultural sector in South Africa to   read more »