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
Executive Direction - From the desk of...
PASSIONATE creative economy champion and researcher, Unathi Lutshaba, has been appointed Executive Director of the South African Cultural Observatory after a consortium of Universities led by Nelson Mandela University won a five year tender to ensure South Africa’s creative economy is well mapped, understood and analysed. Here are her key goals for the next five years.
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Latest News
Fourth Annual Fruits of Democracy Awards
THE Fruits of Democracy Awards, established in 2015, aspires to be a cultural marker in Nelson Mandela Bay where young movers and shakers of the Eastern Cape converge to be recognised for the excellence they display in the work that they do in different sectors.
Rhodes University joins consortium in SACO tender win
A FIVE-YEAR tender to run the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) has been granted to a consortium of universities including Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University, University of Fort Hare, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Nelson Mandela University wins coveted SACO contract
NELSON Mandela University together with a consortium of three university partners have been awarded a multi-year contract to advance the operations of the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) and support the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC).
University of Leeds: Post Doctoral Fellowship
ARE you an experienced creative practitioner and researcher, with experience of conducting practice-led research? Do you have a track record of professional creative practice, with the ability to employ narrative formats that have the capacity for reproduction/dissemination? Do you possess excellent interpersonal and team-working skills and the ability to work with colleagues from academic institutions and non-academic organisations?
BASA Award winners announced at laid back event
TAKING place at Jozi’s fresh, new downtown venue, Victoria Yards, Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) announced the winners of the 21st BASA Awards, partnered by Hollard, earlier this month in September.
Word from DAC
MINISTER of Arts & Culture, Nathi Mthethwa was in New York on Heritage Day as part of the celebrations for a handover of a 1.9m statue of Nelson Mandela to the United Nations. The statue of South Africa's first democratically-elected president Nelson Mandela was unveiled as part of a Mandela Peace Summit which coincides with Heritage Day in South Africa. The statue is a gift from South Africa to the international community and is a symbol of humanity and reconciliation.
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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.
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Open Source: Latest research for download
READ the rationale for and outcomes of the process to put together a proposal for a New European Agenda for Culture which was tabled earlier this year. Preliminary research found that European Union citizens believe culture is the most important factor in creating a sense of community. But 36% don't currently participate in cultural activities, so increasing cultural participation would bring Europeans closer together.
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Progress Report: Updates on CO achievements
MEET the new SA Cultural Observatory Executive Director Unathi Lutshaba. Miss Lutshaba is a passionate economist and sociologist. She was recently appointed into the role of Executive Director of the South African Cultural Observatory, after two years as its Research Manager.
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