5 Year Strategic Plan 2005/06 - Department of Education

The map shows that the highest average population densities are to be found in the districts of
Port Elizabeth (302 per sq km) and East London (156 per sq km) followed by Mthatha and
Libode. The districts of Libode, Bizana and Lusikisiki, which are located in the former Transkei,
all have population densities in excess of 100 people per square kilometer. This is particularly
high given that there are no large established urban centres in these districts and is indicative
of the dense rural and peri-urban settlement referred to earlier.
Graaff-Reinet has the lowest population density at just 3 people per square kilometer, followed
by Cradock with 5 and Sterkspruit with 10.
p a r t C : b a c k g r o u n d i n f o r m a t i o n
The ward-based population density map reveals that population densities vary considerably
within districts. Large parts of Port Elizabeth District for example are fairly sparsely populated,
notably the eastern portion that includes part of Sundays River Valley Municipality. Equally,
East London and Mthatha Districts are not uniformly settled. In the case of East London
District, Mdantsane and the city of East London account for the most densely settled areas. In
Mthatha district, the highest densities are closely associated with the capital city. Many of the
north eastern districts are settled at densities which consistently exceed 100 people per square
kilometer.
13.3.2 Population of School-going Age (7 – 18 years)
The Eastern Cape has one of the most ‘youthful’ populations of all the provinces. Nearly half
of its population (47%) are below the age of 19 (see Graph 3 below). Only Limpopo province
has a higher proportion of young people with 50% below age 19. By way of comparison this
figure is only 30% in Gauteng. This means that the tax base in the Eastern Cape and
Limpopo provinces will be far lower by comparison, and that each employed person is likely to
have many more dependents. It also means that the demand for education will remain high –
in the case of the Eastern Cape, 15% of the population had yet to enter school in 2001.
Graph 3: Distribution of Population by Age Group in the Eastern Cape - 2001 Census
65+
6%
0 to 6
15%
19 to 64
47%
7 to 18
32%
The South African Schools Act acknowledges the constitutional rights of children to basic
education. The Act requires the compulsory attendance at school of learners from the age of
7 years to the age of 15 years or reaching the ninth grade. Each Provincial Member of the
Executive council has to ensure that there are enough places in schools for the learners who
meet these criteria.
Demographic studies typically view 7-18 year olds as the school-going population. Of the total
population of the Eastern Cape in the 2001 Census, 32%, or 2 057 691, are found within this
age group. Graph 3 shows the distribution of the 7–18 year old age group. Graph 2 indicates
the geographical distribution of the school going population. The district with the highest
5 Year ECDoE Strategic Plan for 2005/06 to 2009/10. March 2006 Page 62
5 Year ECDoE Strategic Plan for 2005-06 to 2009-10. 21 F (3) Page 58