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).