CSIR CEO Dr Sibusiso Sibisi welcomed delegates on behalf of the CSIR. He noted: “The collection of reliable data is essential to make informed decisions and policy, as well as to assist in planning. Data are central to all sciences – data can confirm or contradict scientific theories. ”

Sibisi continued to congratulate the Statistician General Pali Lehohla on a successful Census 2011. Generally referred to as ‘Mr Census’ by his colleagues, Lehohla noted that evidence is the basis for good decisions and that accountability is crucial.

Dr Pravesh Debba of the CSIR, 2010/2011 President of SASA and Chair of the conference organising committee, explained that the aim of the conference was to bring together statisticians and other quantitative researchers from around the country and abroad. “At the annual conference we share our research findings and experiences, discuss emerging ideas and challenges in our fields, and build and refresh networks,” said Debba. This year, a number of distinguished international statisticians were invited for the benefit of local participants. The three-day conference was preceded and also concluded by one-day workshops. The conference and side events were organised by Debba and his colleagues of the CSIR’s statistical modelling and analysis research group.