SACO recognized and cited by the UNCTAD
The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) was given a boost with last week’s release of the UN’s Creative Economy Outlook and Country Profile report, giving the institution a fitting recognition.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report highlights the trends in the international trade in the cultural and creative industries, and provides profiles for different countries with respect to performance and contribution of these industries in the various economies.
On the release of the report, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, Mukhisa Kituyi, commented that “the creative economy is recognized as a significant sector and a meaningful contributor to national gross domestic product. It has spurred innovation and knowledge transfer across all sectors of the economy and is a critical sector to foster inclusive development”.
“The creative economy has both commercial and cultural value. Acknowledgement of this dual worth has led governments worldwide to expand and develop their creative economies as part of economic diversification strategies and efforts to stimulate economic growth, prosperity and well-being”, added Kituyi.
Some key report highlights relevant to South Africa are the following:
- In 2014, the National Department of Arts and Culture established the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) to map the socio-economic impact of the arts, culture and heritage (ACH) sectors and the cultural and creative industries (CCls) in South Africa using innovative statistical methodologies, audits and research tools.
- South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) report on cultural employment in South Africa explores the role of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCls) in facilitating job creation and economic growth in South Africa. The study, which used Statistics South Africa's (StatsSA) Labour Force Dynamics Survey using annual data from 2008 to 2014, found that the cultural and creative industries account for 2.93 % of employment in South Africa. This equates to 443,778 jobs, slightly more mining, which makes up 2.83% of employment in the country.
- A later study (2018 Mapping Study) found that in 2015, cultural occupations made up 2.52% of all employment in South Africa. The bigger cultural sector also provided employment in non-cultural 'support' occupations for 4.2% of all those who had a job in 2015, meaning that altogether, the 'Cultural Economy' accounted for an estimated 6.72% of all employment in South Africa.
- The South African film industry is particularly important. According to the NFVF 2017 Economic Impact of the SA film industry report, the industry had a direct impact of R4.4 billion (about $31 million) on economic production, leading to a rise in total production in the economy of approximately R12.2 billion (about $92 million). 3
- As an economic powerhouse on the continent, South Africa also plays an important regional role in profiling creative trade and influencing emerging creative industry trends.
SA Cultural Observatory Executive Director, Unathi Lutshaba said “we are extremely proud and humbled that an organisation of the stature of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has recognised the work that the Observatory has been doing since its 2014 establishment”.
“In comparison, we are a young organisation that has yet to fully develop. We are thus encouraged that our work has found resonance an organisation of the stature of the UN. With this recognition, we can only grow and continue to make a meaningful contribution to the cultural and creative industries sector in South Africa, given the sector’s role in the economy as demonstrated in the report”, added Lutshaba.
The full report can be found and downloaded on the following link here.
The South African Cultural Observatory was established to undertake economic research for the cultural and creative industries in South Africa. The kind research we conduct provides such information as to the economic size of the sector, number of jobs in the sector or transformation. We publish the reports on our website and in various media platforms, including this newsletter, with a view to empower industry stakeholders with information that we hope they will find useful, informative and can be relied upon when making decisions that affect the sector.
READ MORE
The Observatory was established to undertake economic research for and about the cultural and creative industries in SA. Additionally we have done research on other related sectors that impact the cultural industries.
READ MORE
THE South African Cultural Observatory welcomes Rene Derrocks to the team as the incoming new administrator. Rene has eight years’ experience in the tourism marketing environment.
READ MORE
MEET the new SA Cultural Observatory Executive Director Unathi Lutshaba. Miss Lutshaba is a passionate economist and sociologist. She was recently appointed into the role of Executive Director of the South African Cultural Observatory, after two years as its Research Manager.
READ MORE
Cultural and sports impact on the economy can and should be measured, valued
GOVERNMENT strategic foresight is a powerful thing when it takes flight. Take the Mzansi Golden Economy Strategy (2011) – which gave birth to the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO), hosted by Nelson Mandela University since 2015 – for example.
Minister Zizi Kodwa unveils new award ceremony: “The South African Creative Arts Awards”
The South African Creative Arts Awards will be the be most desired recognition and cultural recognition in the South African creative industry. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture intends to hold the South African Creative Arts Awards annually.
Research week
Nelson Mandela University hosted their second annual Research Week on 11-15 September 2023 as part of their continued effort to foster engagement and partnership to contribute to the research culture within the institution.
Honouring Mandela - A Day To Give
On Mandela Day, Gelvandale High School hostel received assistance from the South African Cultural Observatory, Nelson Mandela University, and other various organizations.
SAMA Professionalisation Workshop 21 - 22 August 2023
The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) took part in a discussion with the stakeholders in the Museum industry on the professionalization of heritage in South Africa. The discussion was aimed at finding ways to professionalize the work Museums do in SA. The Museum stakeholders would like their work to be qualified by SAQA so that when they enroll students, they (students) can come out with a qualification that is graded.
