3 June 2025

The ANC Parliamentary Caucus welcomes the Statistics South Africa Budget Vote 14 which allocates R2.77 billion for Statistics South Africa. Stats SA, plays a critical role in providing the country with scientific statistical data to support decision making for all social partners, be it government, business, labour, civil society, international organisations and the public.

We welcome the multiple projects on digital transformation by Stats SA as contained in the Strategic Plan and the Annual Performance Plan. In October 2023, Stats SA proudly delivered the results of the nation’s first digital census. Innovation and development are enabled by access to robust data, and Stats SA should champion accessibility and increased usage of statistical data.

The ANC has recommended that Statistics South Africa should expand its statistical outputs to provide more detail of elements of climate change and digital technology. This will enhance the countries capability to plan climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and reduce the negative impact of natural disasters. With the growth of the digital economy and rapid innovation in digital technologies as Artificial Intelligence are shaping society.

The ANC supports the position of the Committee that the Stats SA, should receive additional allocation in upcoming financial years, this will further place it in the edge of the statistical data ecosystem in the country and its global competitiveness. The reduction of the vacancy rate of the entity should be addressed in the short term as this impacts the effectiveness of the institution.

Noting high levels of migration and illegal immigration patterns which impact various aspects of government policy and planning, we have recommended the need to enhance periodic population statistics noting the 10 year census cycle.

The 2025/26 Work Programme of Stats SA has committed to the release of over 290 statistical reports and publications, aimed at providing comprehensive insights into the economic, social, and environmental conditions of our nation.

Through these statistical publications, all social partners should leverage and optimise the usage of this data for various developmental objectives.

Issued by Cde Teliswa Mgweba on behalf of the ANC Study Group on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

For enquiries, please contact
Cde Hlengiwe Hadebe
Media Liaison Officer
+27 64 147 3276