Measuring Cultural Employment in South Africa A comparison between the UNESCO Guidelines
The cultural and creative industries are increasingly being recognised as making a significant contribution to employment. To date, there has been no systematic attempt to define and measure cultural sector employment in South Africa using national data. Analysis of such data could provide great insight into the magnitude of cultural sector employment in South Africa in comparison to the labour market overall, economic growth, and international trends in cultural employment. It would make a significant contribution to understanding the role and potential of the cultural sector in employment creation in the country. 
Women who move like water
THE economy, according to some, can be likened to a rainbow. We have all heard of the green or the blue economy. But what of the orange one? The orange economy is the creative economy. It is made up of the creative industries – such as architecture, animation, advertising, fashion and publishing. Together these industries form part of the modern economy where culture is produced and distributed through industrial means; with intellectual property being the main driver of trade, labour and production.
Black mermaid wows GQ fans of blue, orange economies
AUGUST 29, 2024: ZANDILE NDHLOVU, South Africa’s first black freediving instructor and global icon for ocean protection an swimming education, was the first keynote speaker in a new series of First Thursday talks hosted by the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) in Gqebhera.
Snapshot of the cultural and creative industries in South Africa
The SACO 2022 mapping study showed that the total contribution of the cultural and creative industries to South Africa’s GDP was R161 billion in 2020. This represents just under 3% of South Africa’s total economic production in 2020 and makes the sector approximately the same size as agriculture.
Umtiza Arts Festival Report
On the 27th of May 2024, the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) took part in the 9th edition of the Umtiza Arts Festival in East London.
Better Africa Better World
May marked Africa month - a moment for the continent to pause, reflect, and celebrate the unique African identity and cultural expression.
