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    • Publishing Books Other Publications Industry South Africa

    Publishing of Books and Other Publications Industry in South Africa 2019

    Carole Veitch | South Africa | 21 November 2019

    Publishing of Books and Other Publications Industry in South Africa 2015

    Carole Veitch | South Africa | 24 March 2015

    Report Info

    Report Summary Table of Contents
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    Report Coverage

    This report is on the publishing industry, which is primarily concerned with the publication, marketing and distribution of books and journals in print, audio and digital format. There is comprehensive information on the state of the industry, including key industry statistics, the effect of digital disruption, bestsellers and industry awards and the factors influencing the sector. There are profiles of 29 companies, including major publishers such as Pearson South Africa which is the largest player in the local educational publishing segment, and Media24, whose book publishing subsidiary NB Publishers is the market leader in the general books segment. Other profiles include Jacana Media, in which a consortium led by two publishers bought an 82% stake and Struik Christian Media, which publishes religious books.

    Introduction

    The South African book publishing industry plays a central role in promoting and preserving the nation’s literary heritage. Despite the cultural importance of the sector, South Africa is yet to cultivate a culture of reading. According to the South African Book Development Council, 73% of South African residents over the age of 16 are not interested in recreational reading. President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that within the next decade, every 10-year-old child in South Africa should be able to read for meaning. In his State of the Nation Address in June 2019, Ramaphosa urged the nation to mobilise behind a massive reading campaign. He said that over the next six years, all school textbooks and other learning materials will be converted to digital format. This is expected to have a significant impact on local publishing companies.

    Strengths

    • Local book publishers have developed proactive digital strategies.
    • South Africa’s book publishing sector is an established industry that comprises a diverse spectrum of local and multi-national publishers.
    • The sector’s general trade, educational and academic book publishing segments are well-developed and produce high quality publications in print and digital formats.
    • The South African book publishing sector is the largest industry of its kind in Africa.

    Weaknesses

    • Distribution of general trade books is centred in urban areas.
    • Most publishers are highly dependent on the provincial education departments.
    • South Africa has not ratified the Marrakesh Treaty which facilitates open access to published works for blind, visually impaired, print disabled people.
    • The high cost of print publishing and distribution.
    • There is not a well-developed reading culture, which makes for a relatively small reading market.
    • Titles in indigenous languages are poorly represented.

    Opportunities

    • The development of digital and mobile-supported learning materials for adult education and training.
    • The development of indigenous language reading books and e-textbooks.
    • The development of learning materials in electronic format for schools and technical and vocational education and training colleges.
    • The publication of African literature in African languages.
    • The publication of content in audio format.

    Threats

    • Declining academic book sales resulting from the restructuring of the national student loan scheme.
    • Declining readership levels.
    • Digital piracy and other copyright infringements
    • Expansion of the Department of Basic Education’s publishing arm in the arena of educational publishing.
    • Free access to online “open content”.
    • The demise of publications in print format.
    • The risk of heightened political and religious intolerance represents a potential threat to freedom of expression and to publishers’ right to publish.

    Outlook

    Analysts anticipate that 2020 will usher in a new wave of disruption and technological innovation. With digital revenue stream growth outperforming print, growing numbers of publishers are set to breach the digital tipping-point. Print sales are expected to decline steadily over the next five years. Some analysts predict that the publication of new works in print format will be progressively phased out and that digitised educational, academic and professional content will increasingly become available on a subscription basis. Economists warn that South Africa has received its final warning from Moody’s and that relegation to junk status is likely in 2020 if the country fails to take decisive action to jump-start the economy. Buoyed by South Africa’s 2019 rugby world cup victory, some role players say that publishing companies need to publish a greater number of inspiring South African stories in all official languages that will help to lift the nation out of its crippling lethargy, heal divisions and foster a more inclusive society. President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed this sentiment, saying: “Let the goodwill brought by our success at Yokohama inspire us to put our collective shoulder to the wheel as we confront our economic, political and social challenges together – and overcome them.”

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    Publishing of Books and Other Publications Industry in South Africa
    Publishing of Books and Other Publications Industry in South Africa 2019

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    Industry Landscape

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    Historical Reports

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    Table of Contents

    [ Close ]
    PAGE
    1. INTRODUCTION 1
    2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
    2.1. Industry Value Chain 4
    2.2. Geographic Position 7
    3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 7
    4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 9
    4.1. Local 9
    4.1.1. Trade 12
    4.1.2. Corporate Actions 13
    4.1.3. Regulations 14
    4.1.4. Enterprise Development and Social Economic Development 15
    4.2. Continental 16
    4.3. International 18
    5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 21
    5.1. Economic Environment 21
    5.2. Government Interventions 22
    5.3. Copyright 22
    5.4. Technology, Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation 23
    5.5. Input Costs 24
    5.6. Labour 25
    5.7. Literacy 26
    5.8. Environmental Concerns 27
    6. COMPETITION 28
    6.1. Barriers to Entry 29
    7. SWOT ANALYSIS 29
    8. OUTLOOK 30
    9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 31
    10. REFERENCES 31
    10.1. Publications 31
    10.2. Websites 32
    APPENDIX 1 34
    Summary of Notable Players 34
    COMPANY PROFILES 38
    A C BRABY (PTY) LTD 38
    AMAZON.COM INC 40
    ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES (PTY) LTD 44
    BOOKSITE (PTY) LTD 46
    CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 48
    COVER2COVER BOOKS (PTY) LTD 50
    ESETHU ISIXHOSA PUBLISHERS (PTY) LTD 52
    FULU BOOKS CC 53
    HSRC PRESS (DIVISION OF HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL) 55
    INTERACTIVE TUTOR (PTY) LTD 57
    JACANA MEDIA (PTY) LTD 59
    JOWAHEER CONSULTING AND TECHNOLOGIES CC 61
    JUTA AND COMPANY (PTY) LTD 62
    LEXISNEXIS (PTY) LTD 65
    MACMILLAN SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 68
    MALHERBE UITGEWERS (PTY) LTD 71
    MEDIA24 BOEKE (PTY) LTD 72
    NASOU VIA AFRIKA (PTY) LTD 74
    NDE PUBLISHER AND BOOKSELLERS (PTY) LTD 76
    NEW AFRICA BOOKS (PTY) LTD 77
    OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS SOUTHERN AFRICA (PTY) LTD 79
    PAN MACMILLAN SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 82
    PEARSON SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 84
    PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 87
    READ EDUCATIONAL TRUST 90
    SHUTER AND SHOOTER PUBLISHERS (PTY) LTD 92
    STRUIK CHRISTIAN MEDIA (PTY) LTD 95
    UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA 97
    VIVLIA PUBLISHERS AND BOOKSELLERS (PTY) LTD 103

    Introduction

    This report focuses on the publication of books and other reading matter in both print and electronic format. The digital revolution has profoundly transformed the nature of the publishing industry during the past decade and although the e-book market is still in its infancy in South Africa, demand for publications in digital format is predicted to rise exponentially, as the South African government implements initiatives to bridge the digital divide. Notwithstanding the positive advances that have been made in South Africa’s R5bn publishing industry, stakeholders warn that the Department of Basic Education’s proposed implementation of a single-textbook system poses a substantial threat to the future profitability of the sector.

    Strengths

    • Local book publishers have developed proactive digital strategies.
    • South Africa’s book publishing sector is an established industry that comprises a diverse spectrum of local and multi-national publishers.
    • The sector’s general trade, educational and academic book publishing segments are well-developed and produce publications of a high quality.
    • The South African book publishing sector is the largest industry of its kind in Africa.

    Weaknesses

    • South African copyright legislation, which does not make provision for digital publishing, is outdated and needs to be brought in line with the Copyright Treaty of the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
    • The indigenous languages segment is poorly developed.
    • The market for locally published material is limited by socio-economic factors and the poor culture of reading.
    • The South African book publishing sector is heavily reliant on educational procurement contracts with the DBE.

    Opportunities

    •  The academic sub-sector stands to benefit from the establishment of two new universities, while an increase in school enrolment will impact positively on the educational sub-sector.
    • The drive to promote mother-tongue instruction in South Africa’s public schools is expected to result in an increase in demand for books in African languages.
    • The uptake of e-books, e-textbooks and e-journals.

    Threats

    • E-books constitute a threat to print publishers who have not embraced e-publishing.
    • If approved, the proposed Learner Teacher Support Materials (LTSM) policy, which provides for only one prescribed book per subject per grade, will have a devastating impact on the industry.
    • Open access publishing continues to threaten the revenue streams of conventional publishers.
    • The depreciation of the South African Rand poses a threat to distributors who import books.
    • The possible formation of a state-owned educational publishing entity.

    Outlook

    Book publishing, in the traditional sense, has been described by analysts as “a concept of the past”. They point out that with the advent of digital publishing the publication of books has ceased to be a clearly singular business. With new global players such as Amazon and Apple entering the arena, the entire value chain, from self-published and traditionally published authors, through to retail outlets and online book clubs, has been brought under one roof. Analysts predict that in future publishers will increasingly partner with telecommunications companies in order to remain sustainable.With electronically-supported learning increasing in South Africa’s private schools, as well as in certain public schools and many tertiary institutions, demand for e-textbooks is predicted to continue on an upward trajectory and this segment is expected to provide excellent opportunities for the country’s educational publishers. However, analysts warn that if the DBE’s single textbook, per subject, per grade policy is implemented, the prospects for South African book publishing as a whole, and local educational publishing in particular, will be bleak.

    Publishing of Books and Other Publications Industry in South Africa
    Publishing of Books and Other Publications Industry in South Africa 2015

    Full Report

    R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $101.90 (USD)*

    Buy Now +

    Industry Landscape

    R 1 330.00(ZAR) estimated $ 71.33 (USD)*

    Buy Now +

    Historical Reports

    Publishing of Books and Other Publications Industry in South Africa 2019-11-21

    R 1 900.00(ZAR) estimated $101.90 (USD)*

    View Report Add to Cart

    Table of Contents

    [ Close ]
    PAGE
    1. INTRODUCTION 1
    2. DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRY 1
    2.1. Industry Supply Chain 4
    2.2. Geographic Position 6
    3. SIZE OF THE INDUSTRY 7
    4. STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 10
    4.1. Local 10
    4.1.1. Corporate Actions 14
    4.1.2. Regulations 15
    4.1.3. Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development 16
    4.2. Continental 17
    4.3. International 18
    5. INFLUENCING FACTORS 20
    5.1. Government Intervention 20
    5.2. Economic Environment 21
    5.3. Rising Input Costs 22
    5.4. Information Technology and Technology 22
    5.5. Labour 24
    5.6. Literacy Levels 26
    5.7. Copyright 26
    5.8. Environmental Concerns 26
    6. COMPETITION 28
    6.1. Barriers to Entry 29
    6.2. Innovation 29
    6.3. Research and Development (R&D) 30
    7. SWOT ANALYSIS 30
    8. OUTLOOK 31
    9. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS 32
    10. REFERENCES 32
    10.1. Publications 32
    10.2. Websites 33
    APPENDIX 1 34
    Estimated Industry Turnover Values: Books In Print Format 34
    APPENDIX 2 36
    PASA Membership List 36
    APPENDIX 3 42
    Core List of Publishers and Book Distributors in South Africa 42
    ORGANOGRAM 43
    COMPANY PROFILES 45
    AC BRABY (PTY) LTD 45
    ALLIED PUBLISHING LTD 47
    ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES (PTY) LTD 49
    CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 50
    HSRC PRESS (DIVISION OF HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL) 52
    JACANA MEDIA (PTY) LTD 54
    JUTA & COMPANY LTD 56
    LEXISNEXIS (PTY) LTD 59
    MACMILLAN SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD 61
    MARAMEDIA (PTY) LTD 65
    MASKEW MILLER LONGMAN (PTY) LTD 67
    MEDIA24 BOEKE (PTY) LTD 70
    NASOU VIA AFRIKA (PTY) LTD 72
    NEW AFRICA BOOKS (PTY) LTD 75
    NEW HOLLAND PUBLISHING (SOUTH AFRICA) (PTY) LTD 77
    OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS SOUTHERN AFRICA (PTY) LTD 80
    PEARSON MARANG (PTY) LTD 83
    PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE (PTY) LTD 85
    READ EDUCATIONAL TRUST 87
    SHUTER & SHOOTER PUBLISHERS (PTY) LTD 89
    VIVLIA PUBLISHERS & BOOKSELLERS (PTY) LTD 92

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