Data issues

Information servicing the macroeconomic objectives is readily available and is, generally speaking, of a high quality. The main sources of information are Statistics South Africa and the South African Reserve Bank. Information on demographic and environmental issues on an economy-wide scale is lacking, for various reasons. Since 1994 demographic concepts have undergone severe changes with regard to definition, both in terms of geographic area as well as population classifications. This makes comparisons over time very difficult. Pre-1994 information should also be treated with caution.

Environmental information at project level is ample, but fragmented in terms of geographic distribution and the purpose of the research. Furthermore, the information is not adequately disseminated, mainly due to financial and/or legal constraints (e.g. copyrights and the protection of business rights). Due to these aspects the majority of environmental information remains within the domain of the research agency (who has limited use of the information) and the owner of the research material (the funding agent or firm) whose vested interest may result in the non-disclosure of the information.

Environmental economic information on a national level is almost non-existent. This has lately given rise to a number of initiatives - two of which have been completed (see DBSA 1997 and Blignaut 1998). {hyperlink to DBSA web site} Currently there are a number of ongoing initiatives both on national as well as regional level. It will, however, be some time before a proper national database will be in place.