Cultural and Creative Industries: An Undervalued Human Right Development Movement

Human Rights Day, observed annually on March 21, is a significant commemoration in South Africa that honours the lives lost during the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, where peaceful protesters were killed while opposing oppressive apartheid pass laws. The day serves not only as a firm reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle for equality and justice but also as an occasion for reflection on the progress made in human rights since the end of apartheid. It underpins the ongoing challenges linked to social justice and equality, primarily for marginalised communities and stressing its importance in the nation's current journey towards a more inclusive society. The struggle for human rights in South Africa has deeply influenced its cultural and creative industries. At the height of the apartheid regime, artists like Dumile Feni used their art as a way to fight back and to convey the human condition under oppressive regimes. Feni's work represents how artistic expression served not only as a commentary on social injustices but also as a rallying point for the oppressed, but sadly Feni never got to taste the country’s FREEDOM despite his work embodying the suffering and turmoil of the oppressed under apartheid, the resistance and defiance of the human spirit, and the pathos of exile. While often suppressed, other artists produced politically charged pieces that played a crucial role in rallying public sentiment against apartheid.

The Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI’s) in South Africa play a crucial role in this discourse, reflecting the nation’s diverse narratives and historical differences. The voice of the CCI’s in SA can be dated back to the country’s fight against the apartheid regime, creatives became one of the voices in advocating for freedom, democracy, and human rights. This advocacy has led to the momentous movement towards self-organisation within the CCI’s inked by the establishment of organisations like the Cultural and Creative Industries Guild of Africa (CCIGA), The Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) etc who empower artists, creators, and cultural entrepreneurs across the country and the continent, fostering collaboration and driving economic growth within the industry.  As the country celebrates Human Rights Day today, one prominent initiative that the sector have done over the years is the curation of art exhibitions focused on human rights movements. These exhibitions not only showcase local artists' works but also aim to drive conversations and reflections on perilous societal issues worldwide. This industry also empowers individuals to understand their rights and advocate for equality and diversity within their communities through educational initiatives. New contemporary artists such as Zanele Mohuli have continued to leverage their artwork to address pressing social issues and advocate for human rights. However, despite these movements, artists that advocate for human rights still remain anonymous a beautiful example is the unknown identify of Banksy, who despite his/her work raising political awareness, the world at large still does not know who he/she is.

This year’s theme is “Deepening a culture of social justice and human rights” and the South African Cultural Observatory would like to encourage the Cultural and Creative Industries to raise AWARENESS, foster EMPATHY and promote SOCIAL COHESION.