Landmark legislation bolsters national statistics framework
South Africa's national statistics body has entered a transformative phase following the enactment of the Statistics Amendment Act, which has significantly enhanced the country's approach to data collection and the credibility of its statistical systems since taking effect in October last year.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli outlined the impact of the legislation while presenting Statistics South Africa's third quarterly report for the 2025/26 financial year to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation on Wednesday.
"This legislation strengthens the coordination of statistical production across government and provides an enhanced framework for collaboration among data producers. Through this amendment, Statistics South Africa is better positioned to work with departments and other institutions to improve the quality, consistency, and credibility of statistics produced across the state."
Mhlauli emphasised that the amended law lays the groundwork for Stats SA to assume a more prominent leadership position in designing and coordinating the country's statistical architecture. A central objective, she noted, is enabling a greater number of datasets to attain official statistical status while reinforcing the broader integrity of the national data ecosystem.
Budget pressures threaten sustainability of key statistical programmes
Despite institutional resilience and commendable output, the Deputy Minister acknowledged that the organisation continues to grapple with serious financial and staffing constraints. She told media that Stats SA had surpassed 90% of its planned targets since the start of the financial year, a reflection of both operational rigour and the commitment of its workforce to delivering credible, timely official statistics.
However, Mhlauli cautioned that persistent funding shortfalls, particularly regarding employment costs and procurement of goods and services, have driven up vacancy rates and hampered progress toward employment equity objectives. She warned that without intervention, the long-term viability of certain core statistical programmes could be jeopardised.
"Ensuring that South Africa maintains a robust and reliable statistical system is essential for both economic governance and democratic accountability."
Turning to the broader fiscal landscape, the Deputy Minister described the current financial year as a defining moment in South Africa's economic and developmental trajectory. She pointed to encouraging signs that public finances are stabilising, with national debt on track to be contained for the first time in over a decade and the budget deficit narrowing through improved primary balances. The 2025/26 Budget, she added, signals renewed commitment to structural reforms and targeted investment in critical sectors including education, healthcare, and municipal development — all aligned with medium-term priorities of inclusive growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.
"Statistics South Africa plays a crucial, though often under-appreciated, role in measuring our developmental progress as a nation. Through the production of official statistics, the organisation enables government to monitor economic performance, track social conditions, and evaluate whether policy interventions are achieving their intended outcomes."
Mhlauli stressed that at this strategic juncture, the work of the national statistics agency is more vital than ever, providing the evidence base upon which government and society can understand the country's socio-economic realities and make data-informed policy decisions.
