DataFirst

We are a research data service at the University of Cape Town that gives open access to data from African countries.
Follow us on @datafirst.bsky.social

[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

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

@ARUA_ACEIR @MurrayLeibbrand @DataFirstAtUCT @UCT_news To date, Murray supervised 48 PhD students, of which 38 have already graduated. That averages 1-2 graduates every year for 26 consecutive years: Nicola Brandon, colleague and former honours and PhD student of Murray Leibbrandt.

@DataFirstAtUCT

[ARUA ACEIR @ARUA_ACEIR]

@SALDRU1 @MurrayLeibbrand @DataFirstAtUCT Murry Leibbrandt stressed the importance of partnerships that include involvement of the next generation of researchers and leaders to help shape policy for a better world: Prof Mosa Moshabela, VC of UCT.

@UCT_news
@DataFirstAtUCT

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

@JobsFund_NT @DataFirstAtUCT @ARUA_ACEIR @UCTResearchZA 'I believe in the importance of doing good in the world, and doors opened, and others joined me on this journey. I've had an anointed life. And I am not going anywhere and am looking forward to continue working with you - my family": Murray Leibbrandt.
@DataFirstAtUCT
@ARUA_ACEIR

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

'If data could speak, it would sound like Murray... Because of Murray, we make better policy decisions based on research instruments and the humanity that he always brings into the conversations": Najwah Allie-Edries, @JobsFund_NT

@DataFirstAtUCT
@ARUA_ACEIR
@UCTResearchZA

[SALDRU @SALDRU1]

In true @MurrayLeibbrand style, it's a GLORIOUS day for his retirement function here at @uctresearch today! We're looking forward to celebrating his incredible research career, his friendships, mentoring and camaraderie over the years.
@DataFirstAtUCT
@ARUA_ACEIR

[ARUA ACEIR @ARUA_ACEIR]

'Hearts on fire and heads on ice' is an apt summary of SALDRU where our centre's hub & South Africa research node are based.

Join this week for a hybrid lecture by ACEIR director @MurrayLeibbrand in memory of @SALDRU1's founding director.

RSVP ➡️ https://t.co/48kArZf6uY

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

We are delighted to announce that Professor Murray Leibbrandt will deliver the 3rd annual Francis Wilson Memorial Lecture on 10 December.

Register here ➡️ https://t.co/Xg9f3oAcBR

@SALDRU1 @UCT_news

[DataFirst @DataFirstAtUCT]

In its 2023 report, the GEEAP classified textbooks as a “bad buy”; however, the real story sits in the fine print. Our latest post shows how readable, age-appropriate books boost early-grade reading — and why ditching textbooks could be a costly mistake.
https://t.co/jG3remF1pu