South African Cultural Observatory
The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) is a national statistical and socio-economic research project, established by the Department of Arts & Culture, with the purpose of developing a comprehensive cultural information system in South Africa. The South African Cultural Observatory is hosted by and based at the Nelson Mandela University, and co-hosted in partnership with Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare. The primary cultural domains, as idenitifed by UNESCO, such as arts, tourism, heritage, libraries and museums, are the main research focus of the SACO and such research will support the development of intellectual capacity across these sectors.
The key functions of the South African Cultural Observatory include the following:
- Policy focused research (surveys, case studies)
- Reviews of current programmes
- M&E – impact of government spending
- Collection of statistics (databases)
- Physical and Online access
- Networking, sharing, partnerships
Word from DAC
Speaking notes by Minister EN Mthethwa on the occasion of the South African Cultural Observatory’s third international conference at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.
"This year marks the centenary birth of two of the finest South Africans, President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Ma Nontsikelelo Sisulu. We also observed the 40th anniversary of the untimely passing of that eminent African Scholar and a leader of our people Professor Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe. We shall draw inspiration from the work they did during their life time. The progressive world community shall join us in celebrating the lives of these giants of our liberation struggle."
READ MORE
Latest News
Teksmark to include more English and isiXhosa
IT WAS announced at the 2018 Teksmark (Text market) that the Baxter Theatre Centre and the National Afrikaans Theatre Initiative (NATi) will collectively contribute an additional R200 000 to ensure the inclusion of isiXhosa texts to the already Afrikaans and English selections from 2019 onwards.
Iconic Moving into Dance still flying after 40 years
MOVING into Dance Mophatong (MIDM) is a dance company that has stood the test of time. This month it presents Equinox 1 and 2 at the University of Johannesburg theatre in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
Note from the Culturalist - CEO
LOUIS L'Amour said, 'There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning.' In many respects, this is the end of something and the birth of something new. Nelson Mandela University - and its partners, the Universities of Rhodes and Fort Hare - are concluding the three-year South African Cultural Observatory contract with the Department of Arts & Culture.
READ MORE
The 360: News from around the world
OVER 100 new jobs have been created in Nigeria in part of the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) biggest expansion since the 1940s. BBC is investing in the Nigerian television market - and in the process ensuring stories focus on young people and women across the whole of West Africa.
READ MORE
Open Source: Latest research for download
THIS literature review, The rise of coworking spaces: A literature review, by Alessandro Gandini addresses one of the most interesting phenomena to recently emerge in the past two decades: The rise and diffusion of coworking spaces. Co-working spaces are encouraging transformation in the workplace, allowing people to freelance and be independent workers - but ones with access to infrastructure, the internet, information and networks that can work as an "engine" for their profession and growth.
READ MORE
Progress Report: Updates on CO achievements
DAY two of the South African Cultural Observatory’s (SACO) 2018 international conference delivered on its promise of deep analysis and critical and creative debates on the future of South Africa’s and the world’s creative economy.
Coinciding with International Women’s Day, over 200 delegates swelled Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for the second day of the cultural think-tank’s creative industry conference.
Tens of women from across the country and continent contributed to the conference proceedings covering a range of topics related to the creative and cultural industries (CCIs) and arts, culture and heritage (ACH) sectors.
READ MORE
