Mbalo Brief – August 2020

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 the first population count to introduce digital Census taking in South Africa through the use of online and telephonic data collection platforms, which will also allow respondents to complete the census questionnaires on their own. The telephonic data collection makes provision for respondents to participate in the census with the assistance of a Stats SA call centre agent. The increased use of cell phones and the current technology-driven digital era will minimise the challenges of reaching hard to
access communities, thus allowing more people to participate in the census.

Download Mbalo Brief August 2020