(Il)legitimacy of Freelance Artists: Exploring Current Government Legislation and Policies that Influence Economic Exclusion and Inclusion of South African Freelance Artists

Abstract

The prevailing descriptors—such as "illegitimate," "non-compliant," "unprofessional," and "informal"—resonate globally, attributing a lack of structure to freelance artistry. This characterization places these artists in precarious legal and economic positions, hindering access to fundamental employment benefits, credit, loans, and housing. Therefore, it is imperative to answer the central questions, Which legislative measures and policies currently influence the economic integration, compliance and legitimacy of freelance profession within Cultural Creative Industry and Economy in South Africa? The scarcity of literature on the subject prompts an exploration into the legislative landscape, framed by the notion that policy acts as a guiding roadmap. The central argument is that existing policies failure to adequately address the unique challenges faced by South African freelance artists, leaving a critical void in understanding their economic participation. Focused on a qualitative methodology, the research examines documents and policies to unravel the impact on freelance artists' economic standing, employing lenses that navigate the intersections of formality and informality within the Cultural Creative Industries. The research underscores the imperative to bridge this knowledge gap, arguing for targeted interventions to rectify the economic disparities and (il)legitimacy associated with freelance artists in South Africa. It is through the aims and objectives of this research that I was be able to come with a concrete understating of the landscape so appropriate intervention measures can be suggested.