Earlier this week, Statistics SA and the Human Sciences Research Council released Using the 2001 Census: Approaches to Analysing Data - a detailed publication setting out different ways of using census data.
Focusing on the 2001 population census, this census user's manual is a guide to anyone who wants to mine the available data to the best effect. However, it is much more than that.
A chapter on the early history of census taking in South Africa, for example, reminds us of the fragmented nature of the census up to 1996; typically it covered only certain parts of the country and certain sections of the population.
The first census was conducted in 1798, when every head of household in the Cape Colony had to submit a return stating the size of his family and the number of slaves and cattle he owned.
The first South African statistical manuscript, the Annual Blue Book in the Cape of Good Hope, was released in 1823 and was continued until 1837.
Censuses for all races were conducted in the Cape in 1865 and 1875, in the Free State in 1880 and in Natal in 1891. In 1890 only members of the white population took part in the first census in the Transvaal.
In 1904 separate censuses were conducted in the Cape, Natal, the Free State and the Transvaal - but at least they did cover the whole country within the same year.
In 1910, when the Union of South Africa was formed, the government decreed that a population census for all races be undertaken.
Censuses of all population groups took place in 1911, 1921, 1936 and 1951. Additional censuses, in which only white people were enumerated, were conducted in 1918, 1926, 1931 and 1941.
Under apartheid rule, censuses were taken in 1960, 1970, 1980, 1985 and 1991.
The first fully inclusive population censuses under democratic rule were taken in 1996 and 2001, under the slogan "Count us in".
Other chapters in the manual include detailed discussion on the dissemination of census data; census geography, mapping and geographical information systems; population migration; education; the labour force; fertility and mortality; gender; and provision of basic services.
A separate chapter discusses the use of demographic data for decision making, planning and development.
A population census is an extensive, and hence expensive, operation. The statistics division of the UN department of economic and social affairs defines a population census as "the total process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analysing and publishing or otherwise disseminating demographic, economic and social data pertaining, at a specified time, to all persons in a country or in a well-delimited part of a country".
With the exception of political elections, a census is generally the largest logistical exercise to be carried out by any country.
The publication of the census user's manual is particularly timely. Next month will see the release of data from Stats SA's massive community survey, which covered 17 098 enumeration areas, containing 274 141 dwelling units and 283 705 households across all nine provinces.
It is South Africa's most extensive sample survey.
The community survey will provide information on socioeconomic and demographic trends, including the extent of poor households, access to facilities and services, and levels of employment and unemployment.
The data will have important implications for benchmarking of policy implementation, budget allocations, population projections and generation of some indicators for the millennium development goals.
Significantly, the community survey will provide information on municipalities - a facility usually associated only with a full population census.
Regardless of the cost of a population census or, for that matter, a sample survey, the value of the information collected is ultimately derived from how it is used.
The census user's manual demonstrates how others have used census data. It also shows how the data were collected. This reflects the primary aim of the manual, which is to broaden and deepen the use of census data.
The census user's manual is the result of collaboration between producers and key users of census data, which will encourage the further exploitation of such data - not only as an independent source of information but also to enrich the interpretation and understanding of information from other sources, including the community survey.
Pali Lehohla is South Africa's statistician-general and head of Stats SA. For more information on Stats SA and its statistical outputs, including the census user's manual, visit www.statssa.gov.