The aim of this report was to evaluate the methodology of the DAC (2014) Mapping Study, which was the first national mapping study in South Africa.
Mapping studies of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) can raise the profile of the CCIs, benchmark industry development, be used as evidence of the economic importance of the industry, and identify potential areas of growth and policy intervention. The aim of this report was to evaluate the methodology of the DAC (2014) Mapping Study, which was the first national mapping study in South Africa.
The South African study compiled a database of 24 756 CCIs, and interviewed a sample of 2 477 of them. A review of international best practice revealed that, while the use of primary data has some advantages, it is only recommended when national-level secondary data is not available or where it is completely unreliable or out of date. The report on the SA Framework for Cultural Statistics (SAFCS) (2014) showed that South Africa does have “key data sets” at national level that could be used to map the CCIs. This is also the first step in compiling a system of Cultural Satellite Accounts.
Recommendations are that (i) Data from the 2014 Mapping Study be disseminated to stakeholders in various forms; and (ii) Phase 3 of the SAFCS (populating the framework with data) should be implemented.
