On behalf of the SASA Executive, I am pleased to welcome you to the March 2026 issue of the SASA Newsletter. SASA continues to achieve remarkable milestones in 2026, and we proudly celebrate the ongoing growth and strong support of our membership.

It was a pleasure to connect with many of you at our annual SASA Conference, hosted by North-West University (NWU) in the vibrant and scenic Vanderbijlpark last November. The SASA2025 Conference was truly exceptional, and we extend our sincere appreciation to the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for their dedication and outstanding efforts in ensuring its success. Building on this positive momentum, the SASA2026 Conference promises to be another engaging and memorable event.

The SASA2026 Conference will be hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre, conveniently located near OR Tambo International Airport. The conference will take place during the week of 23–27 November 2026 and will include two days of engaging and thought-provoking workshops at the start of the programme. Please be sure to diarise this important event. I look forward to welcoming you all to Johannesburg.

The SASA Executive Committee, together with the SASA2026 Conference LOC, is in the final stages of confirming logistical arrangements for the invited guest speakers. We are pleased to confirm that all invited speakers have accepted the invitations and will be attending the conference.

When registering for the conference, please remember to select a workshop of your choice. These workshops will be led by distinguished invited speakers from both national and international institutions.

As 2026 moves swiftly toward the end of its first quarter, the notion that “time flies” serves as a reminder to use our time meaningfully. For statisticians, this means pursuing and honouring our aspirations through academic research, community engagement, professional service, academic citizenship and personal connections. In doing so, we contribute meaningfully to the society, recognising that even small efforts can have a significant impact. Success in the field of statistics is guided by vision, purpose, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. With these qualities, meaningful contributions will follow over time.

The SASA Special Interest Groups (SIGs) remain actively engaged in hosting seminars and recruiting new members who share common academic and professional interests. Members are encouraged to join existing SIGs or propose new ones, and to contribute to the advancement of the discipline by preparing submissions for conference proceedings following the annual conference.

In addition, members are strongly encouraged to register with SACNASP to enhance professional recognition and uphold the standards of the statistical profession. A key strategic priority for SASA is to strengthen partnerships with industry by expanding corporate linkages and creating internship opportunities for postgraduate statistics students. This initiative aims to promote the value of statistics among students while supporting the long-term growth and sustainability of the discipline.

To this end, SASA is actively pursuing Memoranda of Understanding with a range of partners across the country, including key institutions such as StatsSA and NITheCS.

All the best for 2026!

Daniel