Overview of CSI spend on arts and culture in 2024

National context of arts and culture in South Africa

• The national budget for arts, culture, sport and recreation is R6.1 billion in 2024/25, constituting 0.3% of the consolidated government expenditure of R2.37 trillion for the year, a decrease from R6.3 billion in 2023/24. Over the medium term (2024/25 to 2026/27), 43% of the department’s budget is allocated to the Heritage Promotion and Preservation programme, of which most is earmarked for community library services, followed by transfers to museums for their operations.  
• Over the medium term, R1.2 billion is being allocated to the Mzansi Golden Economy programme to create more than 60 000 job opportunities in the cultural and creative sector. A portion of this is earmarked for placing more than 1 000 artists in schools over the next three years, with the aim of developing and improving art teaching and skills. 
• The Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme, launched in October 2020 and geared towards employment creation and retention initiatives for artists, creatives, heritage sector workers and cultural workers, was allocated R351 million in 2024/25 with the aim of creating 30 000 jobs in the cultural and creative industry.  
• In July 2024, UNESCO expanded its World Heritage List to include three new South African sites, bringing the country’s total to 12.  
• In September 2024, the DSAC facilitated the repatriation of the human remains of over 40 liberation struggle stalwarts from Zambia and Zimbabwe. This initiative is part of a broader mission to honour those who lost their lives during the liberation struggle. 

Overview of CSI spend  

Arts and culture were supported by 20% of companies and received 1% of average CSI expenditure. 

Area of intervention 

Average % CSI arts and culture spend 2024 n=8

Performing arts: 59%

Visual arts: 10%

Festivals, competiotions and awards: 11%

Language and literature: 12%

Culture and heritage: 8%

• The performing arts received an increased proportion of average arts and culture CSI spend, from 29% in 2023 to well over half (59%) in 2024.  
• Average spend on the visual arts decreased from 23% in 2023 to 10% in 2024.  
• In 2024, companies invested more in festivals (from 3% in 2023 to 11% in 2024) and language and literature (from 9% in 2023 to 12% in 2024) on average.