Africa News
South Africa starts nationwide census
Oct 10, 2011, 7:35 GMT
Johannesburg - South Africa began a nationwide census on Monday which will last three weeks and aims to count and categorize all people in the country.
The first people being counted were the homeless and babies born after midnight, along with those staying at guest homes and hotels, according to national broadcaster SABC.
The government has been preparing the population for the count for months, with an advertising campaign under the slogan 'you count,' hoping to allay any fears people might have of letting the census workers into their homes.
'It will help us to plan well to build a better life for all,' said President Jacob Zuma. The census will include questions about income and access to services.
This will be the third count of the nation since apartheid ended in 1994. The country is estimated to be home to about 50 million people.
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