Up-and-coming SACO researchers foster insightsThrough an assortment of research opportunities, the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) is engaging young academics in arts, culture and economic studies that both develop the research capabilities of these young minds and offer fresh insights into the work the SACO is undertaking. Through an assortment of research opportunities, the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) is engaging young academics in arts, culture and economic studies that both develop the research capabilities of these young minds and offer fresh insights into the work the SACO is undertaking. "The SACO is a catalyst for the South African creative economy to reach its optimal potential by becoming a holistic repository, collector and developer of knowledge," Tetani says. "I'm looking forward to more growth opportunities that the SACO promises to afford me." Researcher, Amy Shelver says the "opportunity to walk in step with the coming to life of the SACO has been deeply gratifying". "Research takes a long time when it is done properly," says Shelver, "so we are literally only at the starting line. But we are a team of passionate academics and cultural activists who want to see the realm of arts, culture and heritage given the worth it deserves." Shelver wholeheartedly believes in the insights the SACO offers the industry. "Without measure, the SACO is one of the best initiatives conceived of by the DAC because it enables the industry to have the data it needs to both defend and develop itself on hand," she says. At present the SACO employs four researchers and eight interns, who undertake research and administrative duties under the guidance of the SACO senior staff. Ntombizodwa Mashologu says this opportunity has offered her a chance to work with an array of people, while learning from stalwarts of the industry about issues that have, until recently, not been addressed. Fellow interns Thembela Xhoxho and Konrad Kapp say the SACO has provided them with holistic learning opportunities. Kapp says he is appreciative of "the bird's eye view of the creative and cultural industry" the SACO has given him, while Xhoxho says he is excited by opportunities to employ the knowledge he gained at university in his day-to-day work. "My involvement with the SACO has helped me gain valuable lessons about how in depth we must go to produce quality research," says intern Masixole Nondumo. "Also, we have met people, who provide us with a better sense on lessons learnt, challenges and milestones of being in a fully functional cultural observatory." About the South African Cultural Observatory
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