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SAVE THE DATE!! South African Cultural Observatory's upcoming conference that will take place on the 5 and 6 of November 2025. Theme: Creative Economy Futures: Perspectives, Policies & Practices Mark your calendars and stay tune for more information

2024 has been a year of significant highs and heartbreaking lows for the South African Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) and the sport sector, marked by both remarkable achievements and devastating losses. This year encapsulated the challenges and triumphs that define the spirit of the nation.

The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) released its latest SOUTH AFRICAN FESTIVAL ECONOMIC IMPACT CALCULATOR (SAFEIC) version 2.

On November 7th, 2024, the South African Cultural Observatory hosted its last #GQFirstThursday for the year, themed "Design, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship” at The Roof Garden, Central, Gqeberha.

The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) is captivated by the news that South Africa assumes the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2024 through to November 2025. Tying in well with the SACO 5th International Conference in November 2025, SACO anticipates that several issues dealt with during the G20 negotiations, will form part of some interesting discussions which will ensue.

Gqeberha, South Africa – December 10, 2024: A groundbreaking report from the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) reveals that creative professionals are enthusiastically adopting artificial intelligence while demanding stronger intellectual property protections and more say in how the AI era unfolds.

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked intense debate about its potential to transform the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in South Africa. A recent research study conducted between October 2023 and July 2024 sought to answer the question: Is AI a rushed revolution or a holy creative grail? The study's findings reveal that AI is both a rushed revolution and a renaissance, enabling new and unimagined expression and speed for most creative workers. However, concerns about job displacement, skills development, intellectual property rights, and biases in AI algorithms cannot be ignored.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has selected Nelson Mandela University as one of their beneficiaries for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s Bursary programme for both undergraduate and postgraduate students for the 2025 – 2026 cycle. The bursary is housed in the Faculty of Humanities.

Do you work in any part of the Cultural or Creative Industries in South Africa? This is your invitation to be part of research commissioned by the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) on the most important economic trends affecting the sector in South Africa

New Brighton Pictures’ first Non-Fiction title has been selected at Film Africa Festival hosted by the Royal African Society in London from 25 October to 03 November 2024.

As the quarter comes to a close, the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) celebrates the remarkable vitality and diversity of the country's cultural and creative industries. These sectors have demonstrated impressive strength and adaptability, highlighting their significant contributions to the nation's growth.

The South African Cultural Observatory, in collaboration with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, took time during the Heritage month to reflect on and celebrate the lives of the heroes and heroines who have shaped our nation.