The North West Provincial Government has welcomed the release of the Census 2011 results by Statistics South Africa as a helpful set of data that will assist in effectively planning for the needs of its people.
Census 2011 confirmed that the province is home to more than 3. 5 million people, a figure that has grown from a total of two million in the Census 1996. Unemployment reportedly dropped from 43.9 % in 2001 to 32.6 % in 2011.
The province has only 8.7 percent of South Africa but accounts to only 6.8 percent of the population less than that of Gauteng province which has the highest population in the country.
Unlike most province which lost a lot of people who are migrating to live in Gauteng, North West province find itself able to keep its population. This is mainly due to the mining and agricultural activities happening in the province.
The Census revealed that while the province gained about 5% of the population from Gauteng, 4% from outside South Africa and around 3% from Free State and Eastern Cape, 79% of its population were born in the province.
In addition, the Census 2011 shows that the number of households has grown from 81 633 in 1996 to one million in 2011 census.
Nationally, the number of households grew from 11.2 million in 2011, to just over 14.4 million in the previous year, a 29 percent increase.
In acknowledging the results after being handed officially to her by Statistician General, Pali Lehohla at Mmabatho Convention Centre, North West Premier, Thandi Modise said the results will play an important role in planning for development in the province.
“It is very important for us to read and understand the population of the province so that we spend wisely the money allocated to us by the national government.
We ready need to know the population of the people that we are serving as government because the money given to us must be spends prudently,” she said.
Census also highlight that the province has more young people than older people. While acknowledging an 9,2% increase in Primary education enrolment from 86 % during the Census 2001 to 93.9% recorded during Census 20 for children between the ages 6 to 13 years, the Premier emphasised that government must focus on spending more money on education in order to improve the quality of life of its citizens.
Also in agreement with the premier, SG Lehohla said more efforts should be put on education if government is serious about a better future of the country.
He raised a concern that few learners are taking mathematics and science which is also shown on census 2011 results.
“We need to encourage our children to take mathematics and science because failure to do so will results in our country not having skilled engineers,” he said.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
