Measuring private sector support for the CCI
A key orientation of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture’s (DSAC) strategy is to unlock the potential of the Cultural and Creative Industry (CCI) to substantially contribute to economic growth and job creation in South Africa, which can be attained if the sector is adequately supported. This paper adopted a desktop study (examining relevant literature, reports and extracting Corporate Social Investment (CSI) information from Top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)-listed companies’ annual Integrated Financial Reports for the 2016-2018 reporting years) to discuss key debates and issues pertaining to private sector funding of the CCI in South Africa. This is undertaken in the context that the continued dominance of public sector funding for the CCI raises sustainability concerns, and that it is imperative that private sector funding is leveraged by the arts and culture sector to reduce dependency on government funding. This will further unlock the potential for the CCI to contri 
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.
