Report of the Standing Committee on Finance on Budget Vote 11, dated 26 June 2009

The Standing Committee on Finance, having considered Budget Vote 11 and the Work programme for 2009/10 in line with the 2004/5-2009/10 Strategic Plan of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), reports as follows:

1. Introduction

On 17 June 2009, the Statistician General and senior officials of Stats SA briefed the Committee on its work programme for 2009/10, which is in line with the 2004/5-2009/10 Strategic Plan.

The Statistician General highlighted the following:

· The key challenges posed by the former Minister of Finance.

· The strategic overview of Stats SA.

· The binding principles and the legislative mandate of Stats SA.

· Key strategic priorities and the activities to realise these priorities.

· The key competencies sought by Stats SA.

2. Challenges facing Stats SA

The following challenges confront Stats SA:

· The public trust to be restored to official database of statistics.

· The manner in which Stats SA could increase the statistical literacy and restore numeracy in South Africa to those who have an interest and passion in pursuing the field.

· In the absence of sufficient discourse on methodology and outcomes, the measures and processes to be taken to address the problems.

· The manner in which Stats SA would pace itself in relation to its capacity, deepening the skills base whilst engaging in a process to realistically determine the work that it could undertake.

· What gets measured and who determines that?

· Single integrated business registration system.

· Statistical skills in the country.

· Implementing an effective operating model for field operations.

· Rolling-out SASQAF.

· Establishing a corporate data processing centre.

3. Key priorities for 2009/10

The key priorities identified by Stats SA encompassed the following:

• Benchmarking and rebasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Reviewing the Producer Price Index (PPI).
• Conducting the Living Conditions Survey.
• Piloting Census 2011.
• Compiling a geo-referenced dwelling frame.
• Developing a National Strategy for Development of Statistics.
• Hosting the International Statistical Institute (ISI).

3. Summary of discussions

After the presentation, the Committee deliberated on the following issues:

• Progress on the poverty line index.
• Translation of statistical methodology into simpler language for the media and public in general.
• Tools to unlock potential in the informal sector.
• Interaction between Stats SA and other departments.
• Challenges facing Stats SA in respect of undercounting in relation to the upcoming census 2011.
• Public awareness towards the upcoming census 2011.
• Stats SA’s strategy to counteract negative publicity.
• The measurement of competency levels.
• Achieving government’s 5 key deliverables.
• The integrated business register.
• Communication strategy.
• Capacity building and filling of vacancies.

4. Recommendations

Based on the deliberations with Stats SA, the Committee recommends that:

1. Stats SA should put an awareness programme in place that would mainly comprise educating the population about the upcoming census 2011.

2. Stats SA should review its communication strategy when publicising statistical results to avoid misinterpretation and negative publicity.

3. The coordination of statistical information is crucial during the planning stages of government programmes. Stats SA should ensure the alignment of accurate statistical information to programmes of government departments.

4. Stats SA must provide the Committee with a detailed report on its strategy on:

• The implementation of Census 2011.
• The way in which it will address the problem of undercounting; its role to achieve government’s key deliverables; the progress made in terms of an integrated business register; plans to reduce the vacancy rate; how to improve its communication strategy and progress made in terms of the establishment of the International Statistical Institute. The report should be submitted to the Committee within six months after the adoption of this report by the House.

5. Conclusion

The Committee will have further intense discussions on the strategic plan and budget allocations of Stats SA.

Report to be considered.