Why Statistics South Africa's credibility remains strong despite criticism

TO OUR Johnnies come lately albeit in their old age in the world of public measurement, I thought an orientation is necessary.

- Dr Pali Lehohla

I remind them of my statement when StatsSA was granted the rights to host the very first World Data Forum in 2017 which gave rise to the Cape Town Global Action Program (CTGAP). This granted South Africa a sacred responsibility of custodianship as the mother of the World Data Forum.

Smirching statistics for no sound reason and out of ignorance is attracting a thunderbolt that will make the grey listing march like a clown on the Union Building Grounds. It is tempering with keg powder.

In my capacity as the Statistician-General and host of this prestigious conference was nothing short of affirmation of confidence in Statistics South Africa in the world of statistics. This picture and its integrity has not changed seven years on and counting under the Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke.

The World Bank had this to say about the CTGAP, “Since 2017, the Cape Town Global Action Plan for Sustainable Development Data (CTGAP) has provided a framework for planning and implementing the statistical capacity building activities needed to achieve the scope and intent of the 2030 Agenda and to mobilise funding for the modernization of national statistical systems across the world.”

StatsSA is an institution that remains a jewel and a precious gem that sheds light in the nooks and crannies of our society. Yet some ignoramus amongst us had the audacity to cast aspersions on this institution.

Perhaps they are horrified by our perpetual inability to get out of a downward spiral and they attribute this to the floodlight that places this deepening deformity under the searchlight.