Yearly Archives: 2023

Trust in Government, Access to Services, and the Shadow of Corruption

Trust in Government, Access to Services, and the Shadow of Corruption

Access to government services is a cornerstone of any well-functioning society. In the realm of governance, the relationship between access to government services, levels of trust in government and public institutions, and individual experiences of corruption significantly impacts the overall well-being of a society. These factors are integral to the effectiveness and legitimacy of a   read more »


Public-sector capital expenditure increases in 2022

Public-sector capital expenditure increases in 2022

After five consecutive years of decline, capital expenditure in the public sector increased by R9,3 billion (4,6%), from R199,8 billion in 2021 to R209,1 billion in 2022. Extra-budgetary accounts and funds, national government, public corporations, provincial government and higher education institutions all recorded increases. However, there was a decline for local government, according to Stats SA’s Capital expenditure   read more »


Eastern Cape home to over 7.2 million people.

Eastern Cape is the fourth most populated province in South Africa, according to the latest Census 2022 results. The total population of Eastern Cape as counted in Census 2022 increased by 10, 2% from 6,5 million more than a decade ago in Census 2011 to 7,2 million in the latest population and housing census. A   read more »


Free State home to over 2,9 million people.

Media Release For Immediate Release 18 October 2023 Free State home to over 2,9 million people.  Free State is one of the smaller provinces in South Africa, ranked eighth according to the latest Census 2022 results. The total population of Free State as counted in Census 2022 increased by 8,0%, from 2,7m more than a   read more »


Inflation rises for a second consecutive month

Inflation rises for a second consecutive month

Consumer price inflation increased to 5,4% in September from 4,8% in August. This brings the rate to the same level as June this year. Fuel prices cast a shadow The fuel index increased for a second consecutive month, rising by 7,6% between August and September. The price of inland 95-octane petrol jumped by R1,71 in   read more »


Mbalo Brief – October 2023

On the 10th of October 2023, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) published the results of Census 2022. The latest census results show that the South African population grew to 62 million in 2022. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal continued to be the provinces with the largest population, at 15,1 million and 12,4 million, respectively. While Western Cape   read more »


Rising Non-Communicable Diseases: A Looming Health Crisis

Rising Non-Communicable Diseases: A Looming Health Crisis

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as a major global health challenge, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. A new report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Non-communicable diseases: Findings from death notifications (2008-2018), explores the changing landscape of NCDs in South Africa over time, highlighting key trends and insights. Data from the World Health Organization   read more »


Electricity: a vital resource for municipalities

Electricity: a vital resource for municipalities

Municipalities generate most of their revenue from electricity sales. Those involved in providing services buy electricity from producers (such as Eskom) and then resell the power to households, businesses and other institutions. The resulting surplus from this trade is a vital source of income. Electricity’s contribution to revenue Municipalities spent R50,2 billion on electricity purchases in   read more »


MEDIA RELEASE: Census 2022 Population Count Results 10 October 2023

Background Census 2022 was the fourth census after the advent of democracy, with the other three being conducted in 1996, 2001 and 2011. This was the first-ever digital census in South Africa. Census information was collected via a digital questionnaire, using three modes of collection: Computer-assisted Personal Interview (CAPI), where fieldworkers visited households and conducted   read more »


Census 2022 shows South Africa’s population grew to 62 million

The latest Census results show that the South African population grew to 62 million in 2022. Gauteng remained the province with the highest population (15 million), while Northern Cape has the smallest population at 1,3 million. The Western Cape has moved from being the 5th-largest province in terms of population size in 1996 to being   read more »