BY Obakeng Maje

The North West Provincial Government has welcomed the release of the Census 2011 results by Statistics South Africa as a helpful set of data that will assist in effectively planning for the needs of its people.

Census 2011 confirmed that the province is home to more than 3. 5 million people, a figure that has grown from a total of two million in the Census 1996. Unemployment reportedly dropped from 43.9 % in 2001 to 32.6 % in 2011.

The province has only 8.7 percent of South Africa but accounts to only 6.8 percent of the population less than that of Gauteng province which has the highest population in the country.

Unlike most province which lost a lot of people who are migrating to live in Gauteng, North West province find itself able to keep its population. This is mainly due to the mining and agricultural activities happening in the province.

The Census revealed that while the province gained about 5% of the population from Gauteng, 4% from outside South Africa and around 3% from Free State and Eastern Cape, 79% of its population were born in the province.

In addition, the Census 2011 shows that the number of households has grown from 81 633 in 1996 to one million in 2011 census.

Nationally, the number of households grew from 11.2 million in 2011, to just over 14.4 million in the previous year, a 29 percent increase.

In acknowledging the results after being handed officially to her by Statistician General, Pali Lehohla at Mmabatho Convention Centre, North West Premier, Thandi Modise said the results will play an important role in planning for development in the province.

“It is very important for us to read and understand the population of the province so that we spend wisely the money allocated to us by the national government.

We ready need to know the population of the people that we are serving as government because the money given to us must be spends prudently,” she said.

Census also highlight that the province has more young people than older people. While acknowledging an 9,2% increase in Primary education enrolment  from  86 % during the Census 2001 to 93.9% recorded during Census 20 for children between the ages 6 to 13 years, the Premier emphasized that government must focus on spending more money on education in order to im,prove the quality of life of its citizens.

Also in agreement with the premier, SG Lehohla said more efforts should be put on education if government is serious about a better future of the country.

He raised a concern that few learners are taking mathematics and science which is also shown on census 2011 results.

“We need to encourage our children to take mathematics and science because failure to do so will results in our country not having skilled engineers,” he said.

BY Obakeng Maje

The quality of life is better in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District which includes Potchefstroom,Klerksdorp,Orkney and Ventersdorp compared to other three districts in the North West Province, Census 2011 results presented by Statistician General Pali Lehohla to Premier Thandi Modise revealed on Thursday.

According to the results, the District has the highest portion of flush connected to the sewerage at 84.2%, higher portions of households that use electricity for lighting at 88, 6 %.

Bojanala Platinum District is the second district with flush toilets connected to the sewerage at 33.4% followed by Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati at 32,2 %.The lowest district is Ngaka Modiri Molema at 27,9%.

In terms of proportions of households that use electricity for lighting Bojanala Platinum was second at 84.2%, followed by Dr.

Ruth Segomotsi Mompati at 82.2%.The lowest was Ngaka Modiri Molema at 80.4%.

Other other hand, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati 85,7% has more formal dwellings followed by Ngaka Modiri Molema at 82,7 %,Dr Kenneth Kaunda at 81,4%.Bojanala Platinum has the least formal dwellings at 

 68,8% compared to other districts in the province.

Meanwhile, Premier Modise has acknowledged the challenge of skewed development which occurred as a result of focusing on one growth point and said that the province needs to work harder to create political stability, decentralise the economy in order to push the frontiers of poverty and create new economic hubs across the province.

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Kaizer Chiefs will seek to retain their unbeaten record in the league when they visit SuperSport United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 10 November 2012, kickoff for what promises to be a thriller-a-minute encounter is at 20h15.

The Glamour Boys have been impressive in the league so far this season recording 21 points after nine games and together with SuperSport United are the only two sides that remain unbeaten in the Absa Premiership.

Chiefs go to the game on Saturday high on confidence after being rewarded a cheque of R1, 5 million for winning Q-1 of the Q-Innovation and registering an emphatic 3-0 victory against Golden Arrows on Tuesday evening.

Matthew Rusike who made his official debut on Tuesday against Golden Arrows told kaizerchiefs.com; “It is important to remain unbeaten going to the Christmas break” he said.

“The game against SuperSport presents us with an opportunity to stamp our authority and extend what has been a good run in the league. They are one of the good teams in the league. We respect them but we wont treat them any different to other teams that we have played this season” he added.

Commenting on his debut; It was a great experience to make my debut and make a contribution in the team. I took all the positives that came out with it. We took all the three points which was very important.

I am just going to continue working hard, fight for a place in the starting eleven and play well, chances will come.

The Coach told me that I did everything that he was expecting from me. He was satisfied with my performance on the day. I know that I have to work on the level of my fitness. I felt a bit tired towards the end of the game but this will improve with more game time and putting more effort in training, continued Rusike.

Rusike also revealed that he is also one of the golfers in the team; I play regularly with Keegan (Ritchie) and Bernard (Parker). Golf is good for relaxation. On the golf course I am not Tiger Woods but I am pretty cool. Keegan is a quality golfer while Bernard is still in the process of learning the game.

Technique is very important in golf and it is something that I gain and use to improve my football game, he said with a smile.

Rusike told kaizerchiefs.com that he is delighted to be using the same jersey number as previously used by his compatriot, Knowledge Musona, it is nice to be wearing no. 21 jersey previously used by Knowledge (Musona) whom I played with since we were 14.

He is one of my closest friends. I spoke to him after I joined the Club. I ran it passed him during one of our conversations that I chose his number when I signed for the Club. As you will know Knowledge and his humility, he told me that I will do very well and wished me luckI dont put myself under pressure, all I need to do is to work hard, added Rusike.

kaizerchiefs.com