South African Cultural Observatory

15 Facts about the South African Cultural Observatory

Measuring and valuing South Africa’s cultural and sport ecomomy

The 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

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).

More News
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THE economy, according to some, can be likened to a rainbow. We have all heard of the green or the blue economy. But what of the orange one? The orange economy is the creative economy. It is made up of the creative industries – such as architecture, animation, advertising, fashion and publishing. Together these industries form part of the modern economy where culture is produced and distributed through industrial means; with intellectual property being the main driver of trade, labour and production.

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AUGUST 29, 2024: ZANDILE NDHLOVU, South Africa’s first black freediving instructor and global icon for ocean protection an swimming education, was the first keynote speaker in a new series of First Thursday talks hosted by the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) in Gqebhera.

Snapshot of the cultural and creative industries in South Africa Snapshot of the cultural and creative industries in South Africa

The SACO 2022 mapping study showed that the total contribution of the cultural and creative industries to South Africa’s GDP was R161 billion in 2020. This represents just under 3% of South Africa’s total economic production in 2020 and makes the sector approximately the same size as agriculture.

Umtiza Arts Festival Report Umtiza Arts Festival Report

On the 27th of May 2024, the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) took part in the 9th edition of the Umtiza Arts Festival in East London.

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May marked Africa month - a moment for the continent to pause, reflect, and celebrate the unique African identity and cultural expression.

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