South African Book Development Council

The South African Book Development Council is the representative body for the South African book sector. Our aim is to increase access to books in South Africa. We do this through ongoing engagement, research, strategy development with and between the book industry and government. We have pioneered foundational interventions to grow and develop the book sector. Some of our initial work includes: - First National Reading Survey into Reading and Book Reading - First independent analysis into the cost of books in South Africa - Draft National Book Policy - Draft National Book Development Plan - Ministerial Report for Growth and Development in South Africa’s Book Sector - Conceptualisation of a reading awareness campaign, now the official reading awareness week in SA – National Book Week - Integrated Strategy for the book sector - Conceptualisation of a repositioned and representative national book fair – South African Book Fair - Conceptualisation of an Indigenous Language Publishing Programme – a business model for sustained production of indigenous language content - Soon to be implemented South African Book Export strategy National Book Week and the South African Book Fair are our public-facing campaigns, which serves to create awareness of the importance of reading and books in the development of the country. Both campaigns are critical for the advancement of the work above. Get involved in moving our country forward by taking part in our campaigns: #BUYABOOK – 2020 information coming soon... #readbecause - join the movement and create reading awareness by sharing your #readbecause on social media. #OURSTORIES - Celebrate our collective South African stories at the SA Book Fair or plug into National Book Week by hosting your own initiatives or supporting ours from 7 - 13 September 2020.