Plugging the skills gap one leak at a time
Recent news reports of sewage spills in the Vaal Dam have again raised concerns over South Africa’s water resources. In order to reduce the costs of maintaining the country’s water network, government has embarked on a programme to train unemployed youth with skills to patch up ageing infrastructure. An important tool to fight joblessness is read more »
Migrants flock to Gauteng
According to the Mid-year population estimates report for 2018 released by Statistics South Africa, the population of South Africa is estimated at 57,7 million as at 1 July 2018. While births and deaths are considered the main drivers of population change, migration continues to be significant, not only demographically but politically, economically and socially. The report shows read more »
How important is tourism to the South African economy?
At the 2018 International Travel Trade Show in Germany held in March 2018, South African Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona was quoted as stating that tourism is vitally important to the South African economy, and that the sector should be nurtured for sustained and inclusive growth. Recent data from Stats SA show how important tourism actually read more »
Mining: winners and losers of 2017
The 2017 Mining Charter published by government in June has seen its fair share of debate, opening intense discussions on the industry’s future. Outside of this policy debate, Stats SA recently published figures showing how the industry performed in 2016 and 2017. 2016 wasn’t a good year for South African mining. The industry as a read more »
African Statistics Day 2017: 4 facts about our economy
“Better lives with better economic statistics.” This is the theme for African Statistics Day 2017, taking place on 18 November. In celebration of this prestigious day, Stats SA explores the archives to find four facts on the South African economy that you might have missed. African Statistics Day was initiated by the United Nations to read more »
Jump in government higher education spending
It’s been three years since the #FeesMustFall campaign erupted on campuses across the country. Thousands of students protested – at times violently – over rising tuition fees. On the back of frustration over the lack of funding for poorer students, the movement resuscitated, in a big way, the debate over whether South Africa should offer read more »
Women in power: what do the statistics say?
The message was clear: “We’ve had enough!” Regarded as one of the largest demonstrations at the time, more than 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 to protest against the apartheid government’s pass laws. This powerful statement of protest brought the struggle for women’s rights to the fore, and signified a read more »
Postponement of the QLFS Q2:2017 report
MEDIA RELEASE: QLFS POSTPONED 24 July 2017 Postponement of the QLFS Q2:2017 report The release of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) Q2: 2017 results has been postponed to 7 read more »
Tighter profits in the formal business sector
The formal business sector, excluding agriculture and banking, generated R2,34 trillion in income during the first quarter of 2017, for the months of January, February and March. On average, that’s R300 560 of income generated every second over that 90-day period. You might be thinking that’s quite a hefty amount. You might catch yourself imagining the read more »
Mbalo Brief- June 2017
In this month of June, South Africans commemorate the 1976 June 16 uprising when more than 15 000 students in Soweto took to the streets to march against the Bantu education policies. Every year, June 16 is National Youth Day and is declared a public holiday. Although the youth of 1976 fought against unequal education read more »