As we continue to honour the more than 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956, to protest the extension of Pass Laws and the Urban Areas Act. This year's Women's Month marked the 69th anniversary of the historical march and the 30th anniversary of the first official National Women's Day. Under the theme “Building Resilient Economies for All”, women are affecting the creative sectors' future in a variety of ways. Although the movement is slow, one just needs to look at the women who manage numerous arts organisations in South Africa to know that the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) are truly a venue for gender transformation. The historical backdrop of South African women in the cultural and creative industries is intricately connected with the country's broader sociopolitical landscape, particularly the legacy of colonialism, apartheid, and patriarchy. Despite the harsh surroundings, women found ways to assert themselves in urban areas. During the 1980s and 1990s, economic difficulties forced many women to work in the informal sector as domestic workers, washerwomen, and hawkers. Their creativity in generating economic opportunities, such as operating illegal shebeens, demonstrated their tenacity and adaptability in the face of adversity. Women in South Africa made significant efforts towards establishing a women's movement in the country with the formation of the African National Congress (ANC) Women's League. Women were strongly urged to contribute to the nationalist war for liberation. The inaugural National Women's Day was observed and declared a holiday on August 9, 1995, in remembrance of these and other acts of resistance demonstrated by South African women in the face of injustice from before the 1940s.
Artistic expression and creativity know no gender boundaries, but unfortunately, the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI’s) is still plagued by gender-related challenges. Despite the growing recognition of the contributions of women in the CCI’s, they continue to face numerous inequalities in the sector. Women in these industries play crucial roles as change agents, they disrupt structures, act as role models, and bring diverse voices to galleries, global platforms, and screens. This disruption was highlighted in the 2022 Economic Mapping of the Cultural and Creative Industries in South Africa done by the South African Cultural Observatory which stated Women in cultural occupations of South Africa were less affected by the pandemic compared to men. This observation went against international literature which generally found that the COVID-19 recession had been worse for women than for men. According to statistics from the LMDS analysis, this could be because there are far fewer young women (up to the age of 35) working in cultural jobs than young men. Other research (SACO, 2021) has found that early-career creative professionals (freelancers and companies) in South Africa were more vulnerable to the COVID-19 shutdown than more experienced workers. Other factors that may have reduced women's vulnerability in cultural occupations include the fact that women in cultural occupations have very similar education levels to their male counterparts and that female employees in cultural occupations are more likely to be employed on permanent contracts (73% vs. 62.7%). Incoming data from the 2025 Economic Mapping study continues to show that Audio-Visual & Interactive Media is the largest employers in the sector, with over 200,000 workers, however, women occupations in this domain slightly outweighs male occupations.
Women's roles in CCI’s go well beyond simply satisfying quotas; they also provide various viewpoints that can lead to more comprehensive and imaginative solutions to the world's concerns. Women frequently approach issue solving with empathy, collaboration, and a comprehensive perspective. Programs such as Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) Cultural Producers Programme recognise female accomplishments in the sector and seek to upskill and unite them as a single network that enables innovative work practice. Programs that help women artists seek to increase their exposure and create forums for their work, building an inclusive narrative that honours female innovation. Prominent figures, such as Connie Ferguson, Beth Arendse, Molemo Moiloa, Karabo Morule etc exemplify the transformative impact of women in the arts, challenging societal norms and expanding the discourse surrounding gender and culture in the sector. The observatory’s own Executive Director Unathi Lutshaba demonstrates women in leadership in the sector, under her leadership, the South African Cultural Observatory has grown from strength to strength producing a significant body of work on the cultural and creative industries and arts, culture, and heritage sectors. Through her 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.
These women not only change the cultural landscape of the sector, but their contributions also influence cultural conversations and societal norms. When female artists and cultural leaders are supported, they can challenge stereotypes and inspire future generations through their work. These women in the sector are not only bursting through glass barriers but also pave the way for future generations. Their work has been critical in advancing discussions about gender equity, social justice, and the need for structural support within the creative sectors.
CaribbeanTales Media Group has entered a new partnership between the Cross Continental Forum (CCF) and the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO), as CCF expands into a year-long international lab connecting Black and Global Majority producers across Africa, the Caribbean, Canada, the UK, Europe, and the wider diaspora.
June 16, 1976, will forever be remembered for the courageous actions taken by the youth to confront the injustice of Apartheid. The students of Soweto took to the streets to protest the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction, and their bravery ignited a fire that would eventually help dismantle an oppressive regime.
What if your next paycheque came from a 60-second video, a podcast recorded in your bedroom, or a cooking tutorial filmed on your phone? For a growing number of South Africans, this is no longer just a possibility, it is a career.
South Africa hosts a wide array of sporting events, ranging from local community competitions to internationally televised tournaments, with the sector generating significant economic activity. With a growing emphasis on accountability and value for money, government bodies, event organisers, and sponsors increasingly seek to understand how these events contribute to regional economies.
