The census results were announced amidst calls for gender diversity to become a prerequisite for listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

Insights into the census results were provided during a panel discussion, which comprised Dr Danisa Baloyi, Professor Stella Nkomo, Jerry Vilakazi and Sipho Zikode. The discussion was facilitated by Liepollo Pheko.

The 2011 census measured a total of 339 companies, of which 319 were JSE-listed companies and 20 were state-owned enterprises. Of the 319 JSE companies, 63 were Alt-X companies and 257 were main board companies.

Regarding the government data, the 2011 reporting period shows an increase of women, including those in the South African National Defence Force, to 56.3% (from 55.8% the previous year), whereas men decreased to 43.7% (from 44.2% the previous year), indicating once again that the growth that has taken place within government has taken place within the female population.

Census sponsors Nedbank and the DTI provided assistance for the production of the census, as part of their own efforts to contribute towards the progression of women in leadership. Nedbank, as title sponsor, has supported the exercise since inception and has provided much-needed capital stimulus to ensure that it is carried out yearly, while the participation of DTI has helped in widening the scope of the census.