A long road to recognition

On 23 January 2026, Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth announced her intention to elevate the legal status of cultural and creative workers to enable them to get benefits usually afforded to permanent employees. 

This is seen as a tipping point for the diverse group of about 7% of national employment that constitutes the sector.

“Over the past three years, we’ve seen different ministers, officials have changed and there have been new directors general,” says Gabi le Roux...