Pretoria - Risenga Maluleke has been appointed the new Statistician General and Head of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe announced on Friday.
Maluleke will replace Dr Pali Lehohla, whose tenure expires at the end of October.
His term will begin on November 1, 2017.
The ministry in a statement welcomed Maluleke to his new post.
"Maluleke has served within Stats SA for twenty years, having joined Stats SA as a manager at Limpopo provincial office in 1997.
"He is currently a Deputy Director-General (DDG) for Statistical Collections and Outreach. His portfolio is responsible for Provincial Offices (responsible data collection for censuses and sample surveys), International Statistical Development as well as Communications, Marketing and Stakeholder Relations.
Adding to this was outgoing statistician, Lehohla, who praised the appointment of Maluleke to the post.
He also praised Maluleke, saying he was "well-grounded leader with balance".
"He has enduring strength, he imbues humility, he is a servant leader, a village boy who with agility adapts to metropoles of the world, and who is ready to take on any adversity with a singularly determined mind for finding solutions.
"My success in leading and building this mighty organisation would not have been possible if Risenga was not leading with me in the most treacherous of waters. My relay is done I am passing the baton to a well-tested professional and leader.”
Stats SA thanked Lehohla for his dedicated leadership over the years as well as his immense contribution to Stats SA.