FOR A decade, SACO has made the case that South Africa's cultural and creative industries (CCIs) count. Between July and September, that case was put to work in the rooms where capital is allocated, partnerships are signed and the law is argued.
My first encounter with heritage at the Mandela Bay Development Agency was, appropriately, somewhat uncomfortable. It began with cleaning. The Gale Monument, the Horse Memorial and the Queen Victoria statue became my first practical introduction to the business of preserving history.
Each September, South Africa turns its attention to the rich cultural tapestry that defines our nation. Heritage Month is a time to honour the traditions, languages, histories, knowledge systems, customs and creative expressions that have been passed from generation to generation, while recognising that our heritage is not confined to the past.
Umntwana womgquba a term traditionally used in the Nguni language that means “born out of wedlock,” but nowadays it is used to emphasise that one is born kwisintu. As lontwana, I look back on my own adventures: sometimes I pat myself on the back, and sometimes I wish I could redo them.
Sporting events are more than moments of competition, national pride, and entertainment. They are economic activities that can stimulate tourism, create employment, support local businesses, and generate revenue across multiple sectors of the economy.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) and Nelson Mandela University today announced a landmark collaboration to advance independent research and deepen understanding of the impact of digital piracy across Africa.
On 7 September 2026, a historic partnership was born which promises to reshape Africa’s creative and research landscape in the sector. Nelson Mandela University (NMU), the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) and the Motion Picture Association (MPA) have joined forces in a first-of-its-kind collaboration across the continent, aimed at tackling the growing challenge of digital piracy and advancing groundbreaking research into Africa’s creative economy.
Johannesburg, September 3, 2026 - The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) will share the findings of its "Cultural and Creative Industries Economic Trends over the last 10 years” review report at the Creative Cnergy Policy & Investment Symposium 2026, taking place on Thursday, 03 September 2026 at AlexForbes, Sandton, in a fireside chat with Prof. Pitika Ntuli.
Over the past three months, I have had the privilege of participating in conversations across South Africa and internationally, from Geneva and London to Gqeberha and Johannesburg. Although the settings differed, one observation remained remarkably consistent: The conversation about the creative economy has changed.
It has been 16 long years since South African soccer was represented on the global stage by taking part in the FIFA World Cup. The last time the country took part was in 2010, when South Africa automatically qualified by virtue of hosting the tournament, a momentous occasion as the first African nation to do so.
Three streaming piracy sites now generate more monthly visits than any licensed South African platform. This is not a global statistic. This is happening right now, today, in our creative economy.
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.
