Stats SA Pilot Census advances remote counting

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) use of remote online and telephone data collection will advance the cause to count all communities in sampled settlements across the country during the Pilot Census. Registration to complete the Pilot Census Questionnaire online or by telephone closes 30 June 2021 and data collection starts from 3 – 28 July 2021. Fieldworkers will also visit households and institutions that have not registered by the end of the month.

“Reaching communities in high walled areas and security estates is often a challenge and the remote data collection options will enhance participation and ensure that we are able to also count populations that reside in these hard to count areas. Registered households and institutions in sampled areas will have online access to the questionnaire or be contacted telephonically to participate in the Pilot Census. Our fieldworkers will visit households and institutions that did not register for remote data collection.” said the Census Project Director, Mr Calvin Molongoana.

Stats SA is currently contacting prospective candidates that registered on the Stats SA Human Resources database to check their availability for contract work which includes visiting households and institutions during the Pilot Census.

The three methods that will be used to collect data in the Pilot Census include

Online – households/institutions register on getcounted.statssa.gov.za (DATA FREE) and later receive a link to complete the Pilot Census questionnaire by 8 July 2021.
Telephonic –Stats SA call centre agents contact households/institutions to complete the Pilot Census questionnaire.
Fieldworker visits – Stats SA fieldworker visits households/institutions to complete the Pilot Census questionnaire with the respondent.

Stats SA fieldworkers will visit households and institutions that:

Register by 30 June 2021 to do online data collection but do not complete the Pilot Census questionnaire online by 8 July 2021.
Do not register by 30 June 2021.

COVID-19 protocols will be observed when fieldworkers visit households and institutions.

The Pilot Census is a dress rehearsal for the main census and Stats SA will mimic the data collection methods, systems and processes that will be used in the main census. This will assist with census planning and adequate allocation of resources to produce quality data for and about the country. The date for the main census will be announced later in the year.

ENDS

Issued by Statistics South Africa

For media enquires contact:

Ms. Lesedi Dibakwane,

Cell: 082 805 7088,

Email: lesedid@statssa.gov.za