Chronicle Editor
Sione Amidu, Sunday News Reporter
The upcoming Population and Housing Census will be crucial in determining the needs of the citizens and propelling development, residents have said.
The census, which will be conducted countrywide from April 21 to April 30, is expected to provide key information that will aid Government in its planning as it works towards achieving the economic blueprint towards Vision 2030.
People in Matabeleland South province have said they are ready to play ball and ensure that the exercise is a success. Residents from Vumbachikwe and the mining town of Gwanda said the census was important for the development of the country.
“We are very happy with the 2022 Population and Housing Census because it is important for the development of every country.
The population at large should know the statistics of those who have been born and those who have died, for the last ten years to date. This will also shed light on the number of people living in the diaspora.
“We will take part in this programme ngobunengi bethu ukuze isizwe sethu sithuthuke (in our numbers so that our country can develop),” said Mr Honest Ashton from Gwanda.
In recent months, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) embarked on a nationwide sensitisation campaign to prepare the nation for the impending census.
Chiefs were roped in to create awareness in remote areas while the use of road shows and various awareness campaigns on digital platforms were conducted to spread the word about the census.
Chief Masuku from Matabeleland South province in Mzimuni said that the 2022 Population and Housing Census was a developmental strategy towards the attainment of National Development Strategy 1.
“As Chiefs we are going to spread the word to the whole population so that people know the importance of this programme. It is important for everyone to partake so that the Government knows their needs.
I also urge the people from Zimstat to use a good approach when dealing with people so that they take part. We are used to such programmes, but even though people are registered at birth and death, not everyone is registered and that information is needed.
We are willing to help and we will use the structure on the ground to spread the information and wish for the success of the 2022 Population and Housing census,” he said.
The process precedes the delimitation exercise ahead of harmonised elections in 2023. The delimitation exercise will also be informed by the number of people in each area. Results of the census are expected on 1 August.
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