Employment, job creation and the transformative power of creativity were some of the key issues discussed on both Day 1 and Day 2 of the South African Cultural Observatory’s (SACO) 2018 international conference at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. The event delivered on its promise of deep analysis and critical and creative debates on the future of South Africa’s and the world’s creative economy. In a strong show of support, the Minister of Arts & Culture, Minister Nathi Mthethwa opened the conference and spent the day engaging and debating with delegates. Watch the video to get a sense of the conference and some of its key moments.
The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) is proud to announce that preparations are well underway for the highly anticipated 5th SACO International Conference, set to take place on the 5th and 6th of November 2025 in the beautiful town of Stellenbosch, and the registration and abstract submissions for the upcoming conference are now officially open!
The South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) has announced a new opportunity for aspiring scholars in the cultural and creative sectors through its 2025–2027 Postgraduate Scholarship Programme.
As South African athletes lit up stadiums and arenas across the globe with history-making victories, the nation’s creative and cultural practitioners were making just as powerful an impact on the world’s stages, galleries, and award ceremonies.
On June 16, 2025, South Africa commemorates the 49th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, a significant moment in the nation's history where thousands of black students protested the imposition of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in schools.
Africa Month, celebrated annually in May, holds signifificant importance for the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in South Africa and across the continent. This month serves as a platform to promote unity and cooperation among African nations and reflflects South Africa's rich cultural heritage and artistic expression.