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Many cultural organisations and events have moved online as a way of reaching audiences during COVID-19 lockdown- tell us how you experienced this shift.

For those interested in music from the African Continent, it is worth noting that the that the African Music Vol 11,2 is now available online. Many of the articles in this edition first saw the light of day as papers presented at the ICTM Study Group on African Musics, held in Accra in August 2018.

Limpopo-born musician Master KG continues his global domination and beat Nicki Minaj, Jason Derulo and Dua Lipa to bring home the Song of the Year Award at the annual NRJ Music Awards in France.

Founded in 1997, Imbizo Shisanyama is one of South Africa’s most acclaimed African cuisine restaurants that celebrate the authentic African culture and heritage.

In a year as difficult as 2020 has been for the cultural and creative industries, positive developments are to be highly welcomed. One such development is the successful recruitment of Dr Cynthia Ntombifuthi Khumalo to join the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

The SA Cultural Observatory continues to produce valuable reports that are aimed at empowering policy makers, decisions makers and the various industry stakeholders to make informed decisions on aspects that contribute in developing and growing the industry.

Festivals have been one of the sectors most affected by Covid-19 globally. Arts and culture festivals provide all kinds benefits to host economies, artistic producers, and to audiences, and have been increasing in number worldwide and in South Africa.

The arts and culture sector in South Africa has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Even though theatres are open under Lockdown Level 1, audiences are considered to be primary vectors of the virus.

As we close the year 2020, it is pretty difficult to decide as to where to start, what to talk about and what not to talk about. Just thinking about the year evokes and riles so many emotions at every level imaginable.

While many sectors of the economy have been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the live music sector has been the most severely impacted by the restrictions associated with the pandemic. This is according to the findings of the latest study, titled ‘Impact Analysis: Live Music and its Venues and the South African economy during COVID-19’ commissioned by the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO).

The SA Cultural Observatory continues to produce valuable reports aimed at contributing towards the growth and development of the sector. In this newsletter, we highlight two of the most recent reports- Toward a South African Book Development Policy & Quantifying the State of South African Museums from a Supply Side Perspective.

Earlier in September, Stats SA released the GDP figures for the second quarter of the year showing severe economic contraction. The GDP fell by just over 16%. The fall is largely attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic. In all probabilities, no sector of our economy has been spared.