House Chair,
Making tough decisions in an uncertain and fast-changing world requires a steadfast commitment to statistics and evidence-based reasoning. By grounding decisions in empirical data and sound statistical analysis, leaders can navigate that ambiguity and uncertainty with greater confidence.
Statistics and evidence-based decisions provide a beacon of objectivity in uncertain times, enabling leaders to make informed data-driven choices that drive progress, growth, and sustainable development.
In that vein, the ACDP would like to thank Stats SA for doing this incredible work under very difficult financial conditions. And, yes, we share the concerns about the under-counting in the previous census and do believe that far more needs to be done to improve in the next census.
But, as the Deputy Minister indicated, stats can and should save lives – when we apply the information we obtain. We know the country faces high levels of inequality and poverty and thus it is very necessary to frequently update the CPI basket of goods and services.
Increasing concerns about food security, both globally and domestically, require specialised measurement of household income and expenditure, poverty and inequality. In addition to that, the specialised data that we receive about unemployment is also very important.
All previous speakers have said that Stats SA is underfunded. But what are you doing about it? What are the members of the Portfolio Committee doing about it? You have got the powers in terms of the Monetary Bills and Related Matters Act. Why hasn’t the Committee approached the Appropriations Committee as other portfolio committees are doing for increased funding? We have to start exercising the powers that are entrusted to us as Parliament because, at the end of the day, we are the ones that appropriate the funds within the fiscal framework. You as parliamentarians can assist this very important institution. It’s difficult because I also need to look at the Statistician General in the eye (and we all agree they don’t have enough funds), and he says, but what have you done about this state of affairs.
I’m sorry to be quite hard on this aspect, but I do believe the centrality and the need of Stats SA providing us data for policy decisions requires a far more robust approach to find that extra R300 million is needed, and to approach the Appropriations Committee and argue for that. Other committees are approaching the Appropriations Committee. So, let’s see if we can improve and ensure that Stats SA is properly funded.
I thank you.
