The Namibian Statistics Agency (NSA), in partnership with local law enforcement, is in full swing with preparations for the 2023 Population and Housing Census, as most of the processes have been concluded and all systems are ready for the action phase to commence.
The implementing body has just concluded the most important preparation processes, which included staff recruitment, a series of trainings, constituency and public advocacy, and field staff deployment.
Statistician General Alex Shimuafeni is confident about the readiness of the process.
"The time has come, and the 2023 Population and Housing Census enumeration has officially begun. From Monday, September 18th, until November 3rd, 2023, census enumerators will be going through the country to enumerate and count people living in Namibia. It is very important to understand that the census does not only count people but also enumerates the housing and living conditions of people in Namibia."
The 24th of September is the most significant date, dubbed Census Reference Night (CRN). CRN is the night where every individual found in Namibia will be counted regardless of nationality, age, or social status.
Everybody who finds themselves outside of the country will thus be excluded from the CRN. This is because every CENSUS has reference points.
Arrangements have been made to ensure that the 2023 Census is not just successful but also safe.
"The police are obliged to provide safety and security in the maintenance of law and order during the census; therefore, I am appealing to all of the public to cooperate and render the census enumerators the necessary assistance during this period."
All Namibians are further urged to comply with the Census requirements, and the public has been cautioned against opportunists who will try and use this opportunity to defraud people.
The Census enumerators will be identified by National Identity documents, their Census ID, and a letter of authorization. The public is urged to request all of these documents when approached by a field agent.
By law, each and every Namibian is required to provide information, as this is needed for solution-based strategic planning.
General penalties for those found refusing to provide information include a fine of N$50,000 or five years in prison, said Shimuafeni, urging everyone to play their part.