Work Programme - Statistics South Africa

Annexure 1: Strategic importance of statistics
1.1 Introduction
Systems of governance based on statistics are improving for the better in the 21 st century. Transforming and stable states
use and apply systems of evidence as leadership, decision-making and statecraft instruments. Knowledge is essential for
good decision-making and understanding and managing the spatial and temporal dynamics of economic, demographic,
social, environmental and political development in the country. Such knowledge and understanding is possible where
accurate time series statistical data and information exist within a statistical system. The biggest component of systems of
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espoused in the Constitution (Act No. 108 of 1996). The Diagnostics Report was followed by the release of the National
Development Plan which set out the road map for achieving Vision 2030. Modern, democratic and developmental states
set clear long-term visions and a path towards achieving such visions. To monitor progress and tackle emergent challenges,
these states rely on an arsenal of planning and information tools. Key amongst these is statistical information. Any
development plan, and in particular a long-term development plan, must be based on evidence, which is the only true
instrument that guides analysis, generates knowledge, facilitates understanding and emboldens the business and political
decisions that are undertaken.
Statistics are therefore essential for:
Identifying emerging issues;
Describing phenomena;
Creating understanding;
Presenting evidence;
Anchoring business and political space for decision-making; and
Undergirding planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Statistics Act (Act No. 6 of 1999) provides for professional autonomy in the production of statistics without fear or favour.
Statistical production must therefore be free of political interference. The Statistics Act (Act No. 6 of 1999) draws from
The recent economic downturn in the South African economy, accompanied by high unemployment and poverty, global
environmental concerns, accountability demands, especially for the health of vulnerable groups such as women and children,
new demands for statistical information.
In response to these emergent challenges, the successive governments of South Africa sought to identify a set of key
development indicators that provide evidence-based pointers to the changes in the economy and society. The platform of a
planning and monitoring environment is anticipated in the Statistics Act (Act No. 6 of 1999). Sections 7 and 14 particularly
Statistician-General.
the South Africa I know, the home I understand