Africa-Press – Eswatini. Thousands of Emaswati attending Manzini Day on Saturday were urged by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) to prepare for the upcoming Population and Housing Census, as officials highlighted how every household counted will help shape Eswatini’s future.
The message was simple but powerful: every person counts because every life matters.
Amid the excitement of the annual Manzini Day celebrations, the Central Statistical Office (CSO), through its Publicity Department, transformed the festive atmosphere into an opportunity to inspire Emaswati to become active participants in the country’s next Population and Housing Census.
The awareness campaign focused on the ongoing Phase One of the Census while preparing communities for the nationwide enumeration exercise. CSO officials engaged residents face-to-face, answering questions and explaining why providing accurate information is one of the most important contributions citizens can make towards Eswatini’s development.
The team encouraged the public to answer census questions truthfully and warmly welcome census officials into their homes when the exercise begins. Every response, they explained, helps Government understand how the country’s population is changing and where greater investment is needed.
Reliable census data guides decisions on where new schools should be built, which communities need more health facilities, where roads, water systems and other essential services are most needed, and how resources can be shared fairly among communities. Simply put, the information collected today helps shape a better tomorrow for every emaSwati.
The campaign also received a significant boost when Chief Prince Gaja visited the CSO exhibition stall. After being briefed on the awareness activities, he commended the team for their dedication to educating the nation about the importance of participating in the census.
Throughout the celebrations, hundreds of residents stopped at the exhibition stand to learn more about the census and its role in national planning. The event created an opportunity for meaningful conversations between officials and members of the public, strengthening trust and encouraging greater participation.
As the CSO continues taking the census message to communities across the country, it is reminding every household that census data is far more than statistics. It is the foundation for informed decisions, stronger communities and sustainable national development. By ensuring that everyone is counted, Emaswati are helping build a future where development reflects the real needs and aspirations of the people.
