IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

According to the 2011 Census data, the City of Tshwane is home to approximately 2,9 million people.  Tshwane’s population is predominantly black Africans representing 2,2 million people, followed by a White population of approximately 600000 people, 59 166 Coloured individuals and 51 547 Asian individuals. About 37% of the population is classified as youth, making Tshwane one of the youngest cities in South Africa.

The overall number of men and women in Tshwane are equivalent; however, men have more job opportunities than women. Tshwane is home to different languages such asAfrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Tsonga and Tswana.  From an education perspective, as per the 2011 Census estimates, 25 per cent of Tshwane’s population are matriculants; whilst 3,7 per cent of the population has no education.

The City boasts a growing and diverse population living in an environment that is increasingly developing to meet the basic needs of its people.  With approximately24,3 per cent of the population having been classified as living in poverty, down from 25,8 per cent in 2010 and only 1,1 per cent of the population living on less than US$2 per day, the City is making tremendous strides in bridging the poverty gap. In addition, the number of people living in poverty has dropped from just over 10000 in 2003 to below 4000 in 2011.  The City has experienced an urbanisation rate of 1,6 per cent over the past 3 years with 89,3 per cent of the population living in urban areas.  Furthermore, more than 75 per cent of the population resides in formal housing, with 77,9 per cent of households having access to hygienic sanitation and over 87 per centhaving access to piped water at or above the RDP level.  With 72,2% of the households having electricity connections and 84,6% benefitting from formal refuse removal, it is increasingly evident that the living conditions in the City are well on their way to being the best in the country.

With almost 49 per cent of households having access to piped water inside their dwelling and 72 per cent having access to electricity, the City continues to make advances in affording all households access to basic services. Almost all households in the City (99 per cent) have access to sanitation facilities with 76 per cent having access to flush toilets.

Unemployment, whilst below the provincial and national averages, continues to be a major issue for the City and this is further highlighted by the City’s annual household income profile.  According to Census 2011 data, nearly 15 per cent of households have no source of income and approximately 46 per cent of households in the City earn an annual income of less than R76 401.  The average annual household income in the City is around R60 642 with only 0,65% of households in the City earning more than R457 600 per annum.  Individual monthly incomes vary greatly amongst population groups and over 44 per cent of individuals in the City have no source of income whilst another 9,6 per cent of the population earns less than R401 per month and almost 21 per cent of the population earns between R401 and R1 600 per month.

The City boasts a vibrant, diverse and growing economy which contributed 27 per cent to Gauteng’s GDP and 9 per cent to the national GDP in 2011.  Its economy is highly service-based with community services and government, financial services and manufacturing as the most significant sectors.  The City’s GDP (GVA) was recorded at R272 billion (in current prices) in 2011, growing by 21per cent since the 2009 slump. Furthermore, the City of Tshwane has been the fastest growing municipality in South Africa, on average, between 1997 and 2011. Gross Domestic Product per capita was R93 158 (in current prices) in 2011 increasing by 13 per cent from its 2009 figure.  The City’s economy has, of course, over the past decade, enjoyed above average growth rates as compared to national and Gauteng province average.

The City has a well-established manufacturing sector with the automotive industry being a key player in this sector. The City boasts the highest concentration of automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the country.  Furthermore, the City’s economy is characterised by a favourable and rapidly growing trade performance with exports in 2011 comprising 61,7 per cent as a percentage of GDP. The City has contributed 22,2 per cent to the nation’s total exports and 15,9 per cent to its total trade in 2011.