It provides unique and interesting insights into the publishing world and offers a premier platform for the literary, publishing and stakeholders in the book value chain to gather and trade, network and exhibit.
Mpuka Radinku, executive director of the Publishers' Association of South Africa (PASA), says that it will be more inclusive in terms of being accessible to a larger number of participants. "In line with requests from a number of our stakeholders, the association believes that by re-establishing the Fair as a national one, it will draw increased interest from current participants from a location point of view. In addition, we are targeting increased participation from new stakeholders for whom the Fair previously may not have been seen as a beneficial platform."
He explains the association's plans to change the fair model from a business entity to a non-profit one. "The new non-profit model will allow greater participation from government, thereby increasing the possibility of available funding to assist emerging local authors and publishers to establish themselves on the global stage.
"Furthermore, with Africa a key focus for many international delegates that attend our Fair, from a trade perspective it makes sense to have the flexibility to host the fair in all major centres around the country. This makes it both a convenient and affordable destination and will draw a greater number of African based exhibitors."
He emphasises that while the Fair will move towards a non-profit model, it will retain some of the commercial imperatives that have established it as the preeminent book Fair in sub-Saharan Africa. "It is a very exciting time for publishing and we believe tailoring the model to suit our unique market, and bringing together a strong trade and public element, will allow us to grow the Fair in the right direction," he concludes.
For more information, go to www.capetownbookfair.co.za.
