DEPARTMENT HOSTS DISTRICT SEMINAR TO STRENGTHEN POPULATION POLICY PLANNING

By Lorato Modisenyane

• The Department of Social Development hosted a district seminar to build awareness on population policy priorities and planning.
• Stakeholders were equipped with insights on population trends such as fertility, migration and ageing.
• The seminar highlighted the importance of data-driven planning to improve service delivery and development outcomes.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development, in partnership with the National Department of Social Development, hosted a District Seminar on Population Policy Priorities from 4 to 5 March in Muldersdrift, Western Corridor.

The seminar brought together stakeholders from municipalities, government departments, civil society organisations, non-profit organisations and development partners to strengthen awareness and understanding of South Africa’s Population Policy.

Participants were equipped with knowledge on key population dynamics, including fertility, mortality and migration, and how these trends influence development within districts. The engagement also emphasised the need to integrate population issues into planning processes to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

The seminar forms part of government’s ongoing efforts to ensure that population dynamics, such as migration, population growth, ageing and youth development, are considered in policy development and programme implementation.

During her presentation, Deputy Director in the Population and Development Directorate, Ms Malebone Tlale, explained that the directorate is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the 1998 White Paper on South African Population Policy.

“This is achieved by providing reliable and up-to-date information on the population and human development situation in the country to inform policy-making, programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation across all sectors and levels of government,” she said.

Dr Jabulani Msomi from the National Department of Social Development presented a demographic profile of the West Rand Municipality. He noted that the district has a higher number of males than females and that the population has steadily grown between 1996 and 2022.

According to Dr Msomi, the population is made up of approximately 85% Black African residents, followed by White residents at 10%, Coloured residents at 3%, and other groups at 2%. He added that Setswana and isiXhosa are the most widely spoken languages in the district.

He highlighted the need for further research on older persons and the development of active ageing programmes, as well as the importance of strengthening sexual and reproductive health services for older populations.

Dr Msomi further emphasised that the large number of young adults in the district presents both an opportunity and a challenge.
“This concentration of young adults provides conditions for a potential demographic dividend. However, it also places pressure on employment opportunities and highlights the need for expanded skills training, Technical and Vocational Education and Training pathways, and job creation. It also increases demand for housing, transport and healthcare services,” he said.

A representative from Statistics South Africa, Mr Robert Thenga, provided additional insights into provincial demographic trends and the implications for infrastructure, housing, healthcare, education and social services.

He explained that data used to track these trends is collected through household surveys covering areas such as housing, education, migration, income and access to services. These surveys are conducted through both telephonic and face-to-face methods.

“Face-to-face data collection can sometimes be challenging, particularly in informal mining communities, where people may fear that researchers are law enforcement officials. In such instances, we must reassure them that we are there solely to collect data,” he said.

The seminar provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to deepen their understanding of population dynamics and their impact on development planning, ensuring that future policies and programmes are responsive to the evolving needs of communities.