This report consolidates two streams of research—the provincial and metropolitan profiles—into a single, integrated analysis to provide a more comprehensive view of the sector’s economic footprint across South Africa’s diverse geographies.
The Cultural, Creative and Sports Industries (CCI&S) constitute an increasingly important component of South Africa’s economy, with significant implications for employment creation, poverty reduction, trade development and cultural participation. At both provincial and metropolitan levels, the sector demonstrates its capacity to contribute directly to economic output while simultaneously fostering inclusive social development. This report consolidates two streams of research—the provincial and metropolitan profiles—into a single, integrated analysis to provide a more comprehensive view of the sector’s economic footprint across South Africa’s diverse geographies.
At the provincial level, the findings reaffirm Gauteng’s position as the country’s dominant creative and sports economy. In 2023, Gauteng accounted for 42% of South Africa’s total CCI&S GDP, alongside the largest share of employment, household income, and tax revenue attributed to the sector. The Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal were the following most significant contributors, with notable strengths in cultural exports, particularly in the Western Cape. Smaller provinces such as the Eastern Cape, Free State, and Limpopo also exhibit distinctive contributions to cultural output, particularly in the visual arts and crafts, performance and celebration, and books and the press. Notably, the evidence from the provinces highlights not only the economic magnitude of the CCI&S but also its capacity to channel resources to low-income households, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation and social upliftment.
The metropolitan profiles complement this picture by illustrating the concentrated role of South Africa’s major urban centres as anchors of creative activity and trade. Johannesburg, Cape Town, Tshwane, and eThekwini emerge as the principal hubs where cultural production, employment opportunities, and international linkages are most pronounced. Metros are also distinguished by their demographic composition, with higher levels of participation among youth and tertiary-educated individuals, reflecting the presence of specialised creative clusters and institutions of higher learning. While provincial economies provide the broader base of innovative and sports participation, metropolitan areas appear to function as the focal points through which South Africa integrates into global cultural and sports markets.
Taken together, the provincial and metropolitan analyses reveal both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, the evidence underscores the sector’s resilience and its contribution to economic diversification, particularly in the domains of design, creative services, and sports and recreation, which show robust growth across several regions. On the other hand, persistent spatial inequalities remain evident, with most creative and sports activities concentrated in a few provinces and metropolitan areas. Challenges associated with digitisation, skills mismatches, and trade imbalances further complicate the sector’s growth trajectory.
This integrated report, therefore, highlights the necessity of coordinated strategies that link provincial and metropolitan efforts. Provinces remain critical for broad-based cultural diffusion and grassroots development, while metros are indispensable as centres of trade, innovation, and international competitiveness. Strengthening the relationship between these two levels of the economy is essential to maximising the CCI&S's contribution to national development objectives.
