Stats SA stands apart from most other state entities and organs as one of the few “islands of relatively
good management and performance” by most indicators in a sea of chronic public sector mismanagement, poor governance and failures to fulfil policy and legislative mandates. The organisation
broadly demonstrates adequate activity and progress, but remains heavily constrained by financial and
human resource shortfalls, firstly with a budget decrease of almost 20% in real terms for the 2023/24
financial year, and secondly high staff turnover owing to a persistent skills drain and a high vacancy rate
of up to 20%.

Its production of statistical products has declined over the years, with a number of survey reports having
been delayed or discontinued in light of limited funding and personnel, and not to forget the shambles
that was the early phases of Census 2022. It remains to be seen whether the release of the finalised census report will in fact be done in July this year as reported to the Committee, in light of intensified and ongoing disruption to the work environment due to the ongoing loadshedding crisis.

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