IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

In 2013, municipalities increased the supply of sewerage and sanitation services by 6,2%, raising the number of consumer units with access to sanitation facilities from 9,4 million in 2012 to almost 10 million 2013. The number of consumer units receiving other services also increased. Access to water services rose by 3,3% (from 11,4 to 11,8 million consumer units); electricity by 2,3% (from 9,7 million to 10,0 million); and solid waste management by 5,1% (8,0 million to 8,4 million). These are some of the findings from Stats SA’s latest Non-Financial Census of Municipalities (NFCM) release, which measures the extent to which the 278 municipalities supply basic services across the country. The release also provides information on the extent to which free basic services are provided, the number of indigent households, and an overall picture of staff vacancy rates within local government structures.

Service delivery also increased over a five year period. Gauteng province had the largest increase in consumer units (from 2,5 million in 2009 to 2,9 million in 2013) with access to basic water. The municipality with the largest increase over this period was Merafong City Local Municipality (from 25 623 consumer units in 2009 to 98 238 consumer units in 2013). Strides were made in many provinces with access to electricity, in particular Mpumalanga and North West, which recorded increases of 45,9% and 45,6% respectively. The number of consumer units receiving sewerage and sanitation increased nationally to 10,0 million in 2013 from 8,3 million in 2009. Solid waste management services to consumer units increased to 8,4 million in 2013 from 7,3 million in 2009. The municipality with the largest increase in solid waste management over the 2009-2013 period was Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (from 790 000 to 948 130), this was due to new developments in and around townships and suburbs in that area.

For more detailed information please download the full report here.