The implementation of the Statistics Amendment Act by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has opened a new era of data collection and strengthened the overall integrity of the national data ecosystem since it came into effect last October.
This is according to Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli, who led the presentation of Stats SA’s third quarterly report for the 2025/26 financial year before 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.
“The goal is to enable more datasets to achieve official statistical status and to strengthen the overall integrity of the national data ecosystem,” Mhlauli explained.
Furthermore, the new amendment sets the foundation for the entity to “play an even stronger leadership role in shaping and coordinating South Africa’s statistical architecture”.
Resilience and discipline
Mhlauli praised the entity’s resilience and strong institutional performance in the face of “significant financial and human resource constraints”.
“Since the beginning of the financial year, the organisation has achieved over 90% of its planned targets. This performance reflects not only operational discipline but also the dedication of the professionals who ensure that South Africa continues to receive credible and timely official statistics.
“[It] is important to acknowledge the challenges that remain. Statistics South Africa continues to face financial pressures, particularly in relation to the cost of employment as well as goods and services.
“These pressures have had an impact on the institution’s vacancy rate and have also affected its ability to fully meet employment equity targets,” she said.
The Deputy Minister expressed concern that if these challenges remain unaddressed, “the sustainability of certain core statistical series may come under pressure”.
“Ensuring that South Africa maintains a robust and reliable statistical system is essential for both economic governance and democratic accountability,” Mhlauli emphasised.
Fiscal turning point
Turning to South Africa’s economic environment, Mhlauli noted that the “2025/26 financial year represents a pivotal moment in South Africa’s fiscal and developmental trajectory”.
Following a period of sluggish economic growth and strain, public finances are stabilising.
“The current fiscal framework reflects progress toward stabilising the national debt for the first time in more than a decade, while also narrowing the budget deficit through improved primary balances.
“At the same time, the 2025/26 Budget signals a renewed commitment to structural reforms and targeted investment in infrastructure and essential services. These include key sectors such as education, healthcare, and municipal development, which collectively account for a significant portion of national expenditure.
“These investments are aligned with our medium-term priorities of inclusive economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction, and the continued building of a capable and ethical developmental state,” she said.
Mhlauli noted that in navigating this “strategic turning point”, Stats SA’s role “becomes even more critical”.
She added that the organisation provides the evidence base that allows government and society to understand the country's socio-economic realities, ensuring government takes data-informed decisions.
“Statistics South Africa, therefore 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.
“Our national statistical agency provides the evidence base that allows government, Parliament, business, and society at large to understand the country’s socio-economic realities. It ensures that decisions are informed by credible data rather than anecdote,” Mhlauli said. – SAnews.gov.za
