2001 South African census

Pre-enumeration

This was the first South African census to use a Geographic Information System to determine the Enumeration Areas. Traditionally, the areas were created using analogue and sketch maps. This geographic database was created out of several data sets acquired from government departments and private sector companies. It included topographic maps, cadastral data, administrative boundaries, aerial photography, satellite imagery and videography. Each area was classified according to its location as one of four types:

• Formal urban area
• Informal urban area
• Rural area (commercial farms)
• Tribal (traditional) area

The country was divided into approximately 80,000 manageable "pockets of land" with an average of 150 living spaces in each Enumeration Area. The intention was that each area could be handled by a single enumerator, to allow every household in the country to be visited within the timeframe provided.

The census questionnaire was developed and tested on a computer-based census administration system at the end of 2000. The main pilot for the census was conducted in February and March 2001, all aspects of enumeration were tested. It resulted in many revisions of both processes and management methods. The 1996 census questionnaire was used as a basis, with some key differences in labour related questions. Three questionnaires were printed:

• The household questionnaire (A) could collect information for ten people in workers' hostels, student hostels, residential hotels or private residencies.
• The individual in an institution questionnaire (B) was an individual form for a person in institutions or tourist hotels, additionally it was used for the homeless.
• The institution questionnaire (C) was for the institution as a whole to provide a list of all the residents on census night, against which completed B questionnaires could be checked.

Data Processing

As the 2001 Census was paper-based, an enormous amount of data needed to be converted to a digital format. The task of data processing consists of primarily four parts: data capture, post-data capture, coding and product generation.

Over 1000 temporary staff members were employed by Statistics South Africa to assist in the process. These employees worked in shifts, 7 days a week for almost 18 months. In total, 10 249 185 questionnaires were received which resulted in the generation of over 117 million images once scanned.

Post-enumeration Survey (PES)

Results

The census population results revealed people live in a 1,219,090 sqkm area, that is 36.8 PD/sqkm.

Demographics

References

References

1. (2007). "Using the 2001 Census: Approaches to analysing data". Statistics South Africa and the Human Sciences Research Council.
2. (2003). "Census 2001: Metadata". Statistics South Africa.
3. (2003). "How the count was done". Statistics South Africa.
4. (2003). "Census in brief". Statistics South Africa.
5. (2003). "How the count was done". Statistics South Africa.
6. "Comparing Census 1996 with Census 2001: An operational perspective". Southern African Journal of Demography.
7. (2003). "Census in brief". Statistics South Africa.
8. (2004). "Primary tables South Africa: Census '96 and 2001 compared". Statistics South Africa.
9. (2004). "Primary tables South Africa: Census '96 and 2001 compared". Statistics South Africa.
10. (2004). "Primary tables South Africa: Census '96 and 2001 compared". Statistics South Africa.
11. (2004). "Primary tables South Africa: Census '96 and 2001 compared". Statistics South Africa.