IN-DEPTH
Culture and creativity have the X factor that can fire up economy
Often overlooked sector provides more work than mining in SA, while income streams are higher and more flexible than in noncultural occupations
The fast-paced change in politics and the economy, including the cabinet reshuffle and subsequent downgrading of SA’s sovereign credit rating to junk status, have left many questioning the country’s economic future. The public and private sectors should consequently examine innovative ways to support and facilitate economic growth and employment. The often underestimated creative and cultural industries may offer a route to job creation and innovative forms of economic growth. This is according to the South African Cultural Observatory’s cultural employment report, presented at its national conference in May, which shows these industries could grow faster than noncultural sectors. A recent creative and cultural industries mapping study by EY found that 29.5-million people are employed in these industries worldwide, accounting for 1% of the world’s active labour force and 3% of global GDP. The Cultural Observatory — the Department of Arts and Culture’s cultural statistics research ar...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.