Measuring and valuing South Africa’s cultural and sport ecomomy

The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO)

  • SACO was officially launched in 2015.
  • We are the StatsSA of the cultural and sport economy.
  • We act as a national research centre dedicated to the development of a comprehensive cultural information system for South Africa.
  • We are a project of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture hosted by Nelson Mandela University.
  • We were conceived under and mandated by the 2011 Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) strategy.
  • Our partners are Rhodes University and University of KwaZulu Natal.
    • Past partners include the University of Fort Hare.
  • SACO is one of 3 observatories of its kind across Africa.
  • Sport was included in our mandate from 2023.
  • Our role?
    • Champion evidence
    • Influence policy
    • Share insight
    • Build capacity
SACO National Footprint

Our Results

  • SACO’s flagship report is biannual Economic Mapping Study.
  • The creative and cultural sector contributes almost 3% of the economy GDP and creates 1 million jobs.
  • SACO has worked with international organisations such as UNCTAD, UNESCO, OECD, GIZ,  British Council, SiNCA, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), among others.
  • We have produced over 300 research outputs since 2016.
  • We have conducted 63 dissemination workshops and 28 capacity building workshops since 2016 sharing the SACO’s work in 9 provinces and reaching tens of thousands of people.
  • Developed 6 frameworks on cultural seasons, diplomacy, measuring cultural employment, cultural statistics, monitoring and evaluation of publicly funded arts, culture and heritage
  • Produced 2 guides on copyright and the development of a Sallywood.
  • Created 1 event economic impact calculator.
  • We touched the lives of 899 young creatives during the COVID-19 crisis as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP).