Municipalities: Which are most in debt?
The answer might surprise you. Stats SA’s recently released Financial census of municipalities report, for 2016, provides in-depth detail on the financial state of South Africa’s municipalities, including levels of debt. How solvent are South African municipalities? To answer that question, we turn to a financial ratio called the debt ratio. The debt ratio is read more »
Municipalities: where are the bucket toilets?
At the end of last year, mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Athol Trollip made a commitment that the city would eradicate bucket toilets in informal settlements by the end of 20171. It’s not surprising that the pledge was made: the municipality has the highest number of bucket toilets in the country, according to data released read more »
Municipalities: where are the staff vacancies?
Recent service delivery protests have shifted the spotlight onto local government’s ability to provide vital services. Are municipalities properly staffed to handle the complexities of service delivery? Stats SA’s latest Non-financial Census of Municipalities report provides a profile of the municipal workforce, shedding light on the number of vacancies in key departments1. Local government is read more »
Seasonal adjustment: a short primer
Stats SA has, for the first time, included seasonally adjusted data in its Quarterly financial statistics of municipalities. What is seasonal adjustment? Why is it significant? Stats SA breaks it down for you. South Africa’s 257 municipalities play a vital role. Not only do they interact with citizens at a local level, but they are read more »
Social stats web links
http://cs2016.statssa.gov.za/ (CS 2016) https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=3955 (Census 2011) https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=3935 (CS 2007) https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=3908 (Census 2001)
Mining: a brief history
The 1970s are best remembered for disco, bell-bottoms, and the mesmerising lava lamp. It was also the decade that saw South African mining forge ahead in its influence on the economy and employment. How has the economy in general, and mining in particular, shifted since then? Mining’s contribution to total economic production climbed in the read more »
A tale of three economies in Africa
One of many comparisons between countries is the size of their economies. In the recent past, a number of people noted that Nigeria had overtaken South Africa as the largest economy on the African continent. Subsequently, articles were written about South Africa being pushed into third place by Egypt, only to regain the silver medal read more »
Looking for love in all the wrong places?
Don’t despair. There is hope. We promise. Finding that special someone to spend Valentine’s Day with has just become a little bit easier. From left field in the realm of dating advice enter the statisticians, who combine data and geography to show you where you can look for love. Surprised? Well, consider the fact that read more »
Dr Pali Lehohla, pays tribute to the late Professor Hans Rosling
MEDIA STATEMENTÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â read more »
Media invite:Statistician-General to release the ‘Education Series Volume III: Educational Enrolment and Achievement, 2016’ report
Media advisory                                                      read more »