House Chairperson, the ACDP welcomes the opportunity to engage on Budget Vote 14 for Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), a department that lies at the heart of evidence-based governance, economic planning, and democratic accountability.
The ACDP acknowledges that 86.9% of this R2.9 billion budget, is absorbed by operational costs, leaving a very limited fiscal space for the modernisation and innovation required in an increasingly data-driven world. At a time when South Africa urgently needs accurate, real-time data to respond to unemployment, poverty, and inequality, this constraint is extremely concerning.
A critical challenge remains the department’s limited capacity to deliver timely and reliable statistics. Delays in key datasets weaken government responsiveness and erode public trust. Compounding this is the slow pace of digital transformation. Many of Stats SA’s processes remain labour-intensive, costly, and vulnerable to inefficiencies, placing the institution behind global best practice.
The situation is further exacerbated by severe staffing constraints. Despite high unemployment among skilled graduates, only a handful of appointments have been approved amid hundreds of vacancies. This undermines the department’s ability to fulfil its mandate and build the technical expertise required for a modern statistical agency.
The ACDP raises concern over the vulnerability of Stats SA’s ICT systems. The recent cyber breach, compromising over 453 000 files, highlights the urgent need for robust cybersecurity investment. Beyond the financial cost of recovery, such incidents damage public confidence and deter participation in surveys – already a growing concern affecting data quality and credibility.
To address these challenges, the ACDP calls for targeted investment in core statistical programmes, particularly labour market and household surveys. We further urge accelerated digital transformation through modern data collection technologies, and integration of administrative data across government.
In addition, filling critical vacancies, strengthening cybersecurity, and fostering partnerships with academia and the private sector will enhance innovation and analytical capacity. Public awareness campaigns are also essential to rebuild trust and improve participation.
As Kingdom builders, the ACDP asserts that a well-resourced, secure, and modernised Stats SA is indispensable for informed decision-making and inclusive development in South Africa.
