I am filled with immense pride and excitement, as we prepare to host the 5th South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) International Conference. This year marks a significant milestone for us, not only as an organisation, but also as a collective of thinkers, practitioners, and policymakers dedicated to the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs).
Human Rights Day, observed annually on March 21, is a significant commemoration in South Africa that honours the lives lost during the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, where peaceful protesters were killed while opposing oppressive apartheid pass laws.
Survey for South African Youth Participants in European Cultural Cooperation Initiatives
The bi-annual Cumulus conference, titled ‘Design Intelligence and 5IR’ will take place from 26-28 November 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This double-blind peer-reviewed conference is hosted by the University of Johannesburg in co-operation with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
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) 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.
The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) released its latest SOUTH AFRICAN FESTIVAL ECONOMIC IMPACT CALCULATOR (SAFEIC) version 2.
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.
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 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.
