Creativity is our superpower, but it's being overlooked.

Millions of South Africans working in the creative and cultural industries remain underfunded, unsupported, and undervalued. Despite their massive contribution to innovation, job creation, and nation-building, creatives are left out of economic decision-making and development plans. We’re freelancers, entrepreneurs, artists, designers, storytellers, and innovators, and we deserve a seat at the table.

If things don’t change, the creative economy will continue to be ignored, and with it, South Africa will lose one of its most powerful tools for economic transformation.

This isn’t just about culture. Creativity drives every industry, from tech to tourism, architecture to advertising. It solves real problems, fuels job creation, and has the potential to tackle youth unemployment and inequality. Without proper investment, shared infrastructure, and recognition, we’re holding back a sector that could supercharge our economy.

The time to act is now.

We are no longer willing to be fragmented and invisible. We are uniting as a powerful creative community to demand recognition at the highest global level: the G20. By establishing Creative20 as a formal G20 engagement group, South Africa can lead the world in positioning creativity as an engine of growth, innovation, and sustainability.

Sign this pledge to show your support for the Creative20 movement. Let’s demand investment, protection, and policy inclusion for South Africa’s creative economy, and prove that creativity is not a luxury, but a necessity.