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).
