DataFirst

We are a research data service at the University of Cape Town that gives open access to data from African countries.

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

📊 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘁: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮, 𝟭𝟵𝟳𝟬–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Built from Stats SA’s published time-series data, this dataset tracks how the cost of a fixed basket of goods and services has changed over time.

🔗https://t.co/0nb87AofjD

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘀

A new value-added version of Statistics South Africa's Population and Housing Census 2022 data is available from our data site.

➡️Get the data: https://t.co/abeb1hWkjJ

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

14 countries. 34 surveys. 130,000+ learner records.

Introducing AHEAD — a harmonised dataset for early-grade learning research across Africa.

➡️Read the blog - https://t.co/51tLq9BUk7

#AFLEARN #FoundationalLearning #EGRA #EGMA #Africa

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

Citing the data you use in your research is just as important as citing published papers - it is simply good research practice.

🔗 Full guidance: https://t.co/a3bc6LVt7b

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

Citing your data properly doesn't just credit the people behind it-it strengthens the research record and helps others find, verify, and build on your work.
Each dataset from DataFirst has a recommended citation included in its metadata record.

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

- references are indexed more often than full-text papers, so this boosts visibility
🔹 Cite the exact version of the dataset you used to support data discovery
🔹 Use the citation that is provided with the data, and include the unique identifier (e.g. DOI).

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

Call for submissions! Wilson Wittenberg Prize for Data-Driven Research
Two R10,000 prizes up for grabs:
🔹 Dissertation Prize
🔹 Journal Article Prize
Deadline 13 September
👉More info: https://t.co/jBg4WFD4Bf

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

📢 2026 AFLEARN Course: Mastering Data Interpretation & Communication

Join us at UCT from 4–8 May 2026 for a hands-on, residential course designed to strengthen how you interpret and communicate foundational learning data.
Learn more & apply:
https://t.co/0myJl6vm0U

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

Announcing the Francis Wilson Memorial Prize winners!
🏆 Dr Tsepang Khumalo — Dissertation
🏆 Dr Yuxiang Ye — Article
Prof @MurrayLeibbrand delivered the 3rd memorial lecture: “Hearts on Fire, Heads on Ice.”
A meaningful day of celebration and reflection.
@SALDRU1 @UCT_news

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

A wonderful 'walk down memory lane' on SALDRU's contributions and legacy during and beyond apartheid with Murray Leibbrandt #SALDRUat50

@DataFirstAtUCT
@UCT_Research

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

The end of an incredible day of celebration, remembrance, and reflection on SALDRU's history and those who contributed and benefitted from its research: Murray Leibbrandt delivers the 3rd Francis Wilson Memorial lecture: Hearts on fire, heads on ice.

#SALDRUat50
@DataFirstAtUCT

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

Our first panel discussion deals with SALDRU's early years - 1975 to 1990 - and its role in shaping policy from apartheid to democracy.

With Pippa Green, Debbie Budlender, Najwah Allie-Edries and Lindy Wilson, widow of SALDRU's founding father, Francis Wilson

@green_pippa

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

@ARUA_ACEIR @AFD_en @ARUA_News @ISSERUG In going forward:
More policy relevant research: Rudi Dicks
Continuing to work with excellent SALDRU staff who are kind, professional: Anda David
More datasets like NIDS: Nicola Branson
Explore new methods to generate data that tell the story of the pre-1994 era: Josh Budlender

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

@ARUA_ACEIR @AFD_en @ARUA_News @ISSERUG The afternoon's panel discussions have illustrated that, at its core, SALDRU is and has always been about people: mentoring and supporting researchers who can help contribute to improving the lives of people: Vimal Ranchhod, SALDRU director

#SALDRUat50 #leavenoonebehind

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

The story of the African Centre of Excellence for Inequality Research is one of serendipity: SALDRU had a research capacity building reputation, ARUA put out a call for CoEs proposals, and the AFD was already a SALDRU partner: Murray Leibbrandt

#SALDRUat50

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

@DataFirstAtUCT What more needs doing:
More policy relevant data: Trevor Manuel
Develop relationships & trust between govt & academics: Mastoera Sadan
An environment to attract & nurture good & committed researchers: David Lam
Make data available & accessible for research: Jim Levinsohn

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

@DataFirstAtUCT The National Income Dynamics Study was valuable to government because it helped to make sense of the complexities of the South African society: Mastoera Sadan, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

#research #policy #SALDRUat50

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

Francis Wilson & SALDRU were the first point of call to assist the new democratically elected government to expand national household data to include all who lived in South Africa as a baseline for the Reconstruction & Development Programme: Trevor Manuel

@DataFirstAtUCT

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

🎂 After celebrating our former director, Murray Leibbrandt, for his retirement this morning, we are now celebrating our unit 👏🏽👏🏾
SALDRU turned 50 years old/young this year and it's a full-house gathering ❤️‍🔥💥

@DataFirstAtUCT
@JPAL
@ARUA_ACEIR
@NIDS_CRAM