Botha-Bothe, Jan. 28 — The Botha-Bothe District Census Committee on Tuesday held the first of several planned meetings aimed at sensitising members on their roles and responsibilities ahead of the upcoming national census.
Speaking at the meeting held at the District Administrator’s boardroom, Botha-Bothe District Statistics Officer, Mr Motoba Koakoa, said the committee plays a critical role in supporting the Bureau of Statistics to ensure the successful implementation of the census and that every Mosotho is counted.
He explained that the committee will also be responsible for ensuring that accurate information reaches communities, helping residents understand the importance of the census and what will be required of them during the interview process.
Ms Ntolo Mothineli from the Bureau of Statistics in Maseru said the census is scheduled to commence on April 12 and will run for two weeks. She noted that while a population census is ideally conducted in a single day, limited resources and the country’s terrain have necessitated an extended enumeration period.
“After the initial two weeks, there is usually an additional two-week extension to reach people who were unavailable and to address challenges encountered during the exercise,” she said.
Ms Mothineli further explained that this year’s exercise will be a Population and Housing Census, meaning it will go beyond counting people to collecting information on living conditions, which will help assess economic growth and inform development planning.
“When engaging communities, it is important to use language they understand, both during awareness campaigns and interviews. People need to clearly understand why this exercise is important, and that requires thorough explanation,” she said.
Closing the meeting, Botha-Bothe Administration Officer, Mrs Mareatile Nthafa, expressed confidence that the committee is ready to begin its work to ensure the success of the census. Despite challenges such as migration raised during discussions, she said the committee remains committed to delivering a credible process.
She called on all relevant stakeholders to work together and demonstrate the importance of the census throughout its implementation.
The Population and Housing Census is regarded as the backbone of the national statistical system, providing the master sample frame for the Bureau of Statistics and other surveys. The main objective of the 2026 Census is to improve the quality of life of the people of Lesotho by providing current and reliable data for development planning, policy formulation, service delivery, and the monitoring and evaluation of population programmes.
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