The visual arts sector in South Africa has flourished over the past 30 years, emerging as a vibrant, globally connected and economically significant industry. With celebrated contributions from icons like Mam Esther Mahlangu, trailblazers such as William Kentridge and a dynamic new generation of practitioners including Zanele Muholi and Gabi Ngcobo, South Africa has been identified as a central heartbeat for the growing African contemporary art scene. In 2010, the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) conducted a mapping and analysis of the visual arts ecosystem. In 2023, it commissioned Andani.Africa to revisit and assess those findings, offering a precise and comprehensive portrayal of the sector's current state - placing greater emphasis on its artistic, social and economic contributions.