There are an estimated 390 million cellphone subscribers in Africa, but at a penetration rate of less than 45%. (Africa Telecom Market Report 2008-2009)

This week’s theme: Cell phones

There are 17.6 million women in South Africa over the age of 15. 35% of them are employed. (LFS 2009 Q1)

This week’s theme: Women in SA

42% of South African women bake for pleasure at least once a month. For men the proportion is 11%. (AMPS2008B)

This week’s theme: Women in SA

47% of single women in South Africa strongly agree with the statement ‘It is important for a woman to have a career outside the home’. For women who are married or living together, this proportion is 38%. (AMPS2008B)

This week’s theme: Women in SA

48% of urban women in South Africa strongly agree with the statement ‘South Africans will pull together to solve the crime problems’. For urban men the proportion is 42%. (Future Fact 2008)

This week’s theme: Women in SA

82% of urban South Africans feel that delivery of services is an important issue. The province with the highest proportion is the Eastern Cape at 93%, followed by KwaZulu-Natal at 87%. (Future Fact 2008)

This week’s theme: Service delivery

3.8 million households do not pay for water. 20% of them say this is because government must supply free water. (GHS 2007)

This week’s theme: Service delivery

82% of households in South Africa with a household income of less than R5,000 have electricity. For those with a higher income, the proportion is 98%. (AMPS2008B)

This week’s theme: Service delivery

9.86 million urban South Africans feel there is no-one to complain to about poor service delivery in their community. 87% of them say that even when they complain, nothing is done to fix the problems. (Future Fact 2008)

This week’s theme: Service delivery

There have been 24 major service delivery protests in South Africa recorded by mid-July of this year, close to the total for all of 2008 (27) and 2007 (31). (Municipal IQ)

This week’s theme: Service delivery