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In separate interviews yesterday, governors for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Ambassador Cain Mathema, and his Matabeleland North and South counterparts, Thokozile Mathuthu and Angeline Masuku, said there was need for members of the public to appreciate the value of the census.
Their calls come against the background of the disputed results of the 2002 census figures, which were disowned by local politicians.
The 2002 census figures indicated that there were 676 000 people in Bulawayo, showing that the city’s population had grown by 56 000 from the previous census in 1992.
The politicians argued that there were more than a million people in Bulawayo and the results had a negative impact on development in the city and surrounding districts.
“Members of the public should assist census teams by giving them the right information which they will be seeking.
“This data will in turn assist the Government in planning for the people,” said Governor Mathema.
He urged residents to be forthcoming so that census enumerators bring out accurate information from the populace. “The people need to understand that the census is one instrument that can help Government plan effectively as it will be knowing how many children there are in the country who need primary education, for instance,” said Governor Mathema.
Governor Mathuthu said her province was ready for the 2012 census.
“The people have been conscientised on what the process entails and we have tried hard to urge people to participate fully,” said Governor Mathuthu.
She said it was important for members of the public to understand that the census was key in enhancing the Government’s plans for the future economically and how to share the available resources.
Governor Masuku said people in her province should welcome census enumerators so that they could effectively conduct their duties. “People should take part in this programme because that is where the country’s future plans lie,” said Governor Masuku.
She said failure by members of the public to cooperate with census enumerators would result in the country’s development plans being drawn back.
“The information that census teams will be looking for on those days is very important and people should not resist them, that is where the country’s fate lies,” said Governor Masuku.
Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura) chairperson Mr Winos Dube called on the residents to cooperate to ensure that census teams got accurate information.
“Efforts have been made to make people aware of the forthcoming census so we expect everyone to assist,” said Mr Dube.
He said other civic society organistions should complement efforts made by Zimbabwe Statistic (Zimstat) in raising awareness on the importance of the census.
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (Bupra) coordinator Mr Roderick Fayayo, said it was important that residents fully participated to ensure that the census results reflected what is on the ground.
“We believe that census contributes a lot in terms of development and as such members of the public are encouraged to fully participate,” said Mr Fayayo.
The 2012 population census is going to be conducted from 18 to 28 August and it is an important event for the country to obtain data on the size, age and geographical distribution of the population in order to inform policy at all levels.
Since the last population census in 2002, there have been significant demographic changes such as people who have gone to the Diaspora.
This is the fourth population census that Zimbabwe has undertaken since the country’s independence in 1980.
The first one was held in 1982 and two others were subsequently held at 10-year intervals.
The last census in 2002 put Zimbabwe’s population at 14 million.
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population.
It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population.
Online Reporter