GDP The CCI&S contributed R250 Billion towards the SA GDP |
GDP Percentage – 4.3% of GDP |
Employment 1 million jobs |
House hold Impact: Low-income household – R41.1 Billion |
House hold Impact: Middle-income household – R58.3 Billion |
House hold Impact: High-income household – R121 billion |
Exports $352.94 million |
Imports $415.15 million |
Number of CCI Enterprises in South Africa 82 901 businesses |

We do cultural economics

We’re the StatsSA of the cultural and sports economy.

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We do mapping studies

We map and value the cultural and creative industries and sports economy of South Africa.

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We produce insights

The South African creative economy contributes 2.9% to national GDP and creates about 1 million jobs.

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Who are we?

We’re a project of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, and hosted by Nelson Mandela University.

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Who are our partners?

We deliver a cultural information system with research partners, Rhodes University, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and with local and global industry experts.

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An African success story

The SA Cultural Observatory is one of three of its kind across Africa.

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A global network

We work globally with international organisations, non-profits, governments and institutions to contribute to a global body of research on the cultural and sports economy.

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Our mandate

We support the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture with research on how to build an active, creative, winning and socially cohesive nation.

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South African Cultural Observatory

The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) is a national statistical and socio-economic research project, established by the Department of Sport, 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 Kwazulu-Natal. 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

Reports & Research

Publication Report - The Role of Cultural and Creative Industries in Regenerating Urban and Rural Space and Economies in South Africa

Publication Report - An input output model for the cultural and creative industries in South Africa and possible extensions

Cultural and Creative Industry Trends - FINAL

Creative Economy Funding Landscape_Business Development - Landscape Shifts In South Africas Creative Economy

SACO Conf2022 Creative Economy Reset Post Conference Publication 2024

Artists in Schools - Research Report- FINAL

POLICY RESEARCH REPORT ON OPTIONS FOR SOUTH AFRICAS CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IN BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTS 1

Animation Industry Ecosystem Analysis

Gaming in South Africa - Producers & Consumers

Methodology to develop sub-national Cultural and Creative Industries’ Satellite Accounts for Provinces, Districts and Metros

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Executive Direction

Unathi Lutshaba - SACO Executive Director

Ms. Unathi Lutshaba has directed the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) since 2018. Under her leadership the research project of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has grown from strength to strength producing a significant body of work on the cultural and creative industries and arts, culture, and heritage sectors. Under ger guidance, South African policymakers, government and the private and civil sectors have a tangible grasp on the value of the creative economy and its impact on the economy.

A Human Capital Language

A person’s language ability refers to one’s level of skill in speaking, hearing, reading, and writing a language.

Some insights for DSAC to consider – a Funding Indaba, perhaps!

The South African Cultural Observatory’s (SACO’s) research report on the review/evaluation of the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) program illuminated some eye-opening insights about the MGE program.

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SACO Stats

Biographical Data

The South African Cultural Observatory has developed a basic biographical form that can be used to collect data/ information on the makeup of the South African Creative & Cultural Industries/ Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors from the perspective of individuals and businesses operating across them. We would like you to fill out this form so that you can be added to our database.

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SACO Genesis

Conceived of in 2013, through the Mzansi Golden Economy strategy, the SACO is a project of the South African Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) hosted by the Nelson Mandela University in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Rhodes University, and several research partners.

The SACO was officially established in 2015 to develop a more sophisticated understanding of South Africa’s cultural and creative economy – and also to map trends, develop statistics, gather economic data across the arts, culture and heritage sectors and the cultural and creative industries (CCIs); and to inform decision and policymakers.

Since then, we have been fundamental in shaping new knowledge, tools, and insights into South Africa’s cultural and creative economy.

In 2019, DSAC incorporated sports into its ambit of policy making and government support. As such, from 2023, the SACO also focuses on mapping the economic impact of sports in South Africa.