Thekgang NPC, working under the mandate of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), has officially launched the Book Publishing, Manufacturing and Distribution Cluster which is a groundbreaking initiative designed to strengthen South Africa’s creative economy. This cluster is one of 17 Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) clusters established to drive transformation and sustainability across the sector.

At its heart, the new cluster is about giving South African literature the platform it deserves, while ensuring that stories reflect the diverse voices of the nation. By bringing together authors, illustrators, publishers and distributors, Thekgang aims to make books more accessible to all, especially communities that have historically been left out of the publishing space.

Constituted as a non-profit organisation, Thekgang NPC is focused on inclusivity, capacity building and real transformation. Its goals include the following:

Leading this bold initiative is a passionate Board of Directors: Founder and Chair Terry-Ann Adams, Treasurer Lorraine Sithole, and Company Secretary and spokesperson Melvin Kaabwe.

“Thekgang NPC is honoured to lead this vital sectoral cluster on behalf of DSAC,” said Kaabwe. “Books are the cornerstone of cultural expression and nation-building. Through this initiative, we want to empower authors, uplift indigenous language publishing, and open access to communities who have long been excluded from literature.”

Thekgang’s strategy focuses on four key areas: building author capacity, transforming the way local stories are consumed, supporting both emerging and established talent, and growing markets through innovative distribution.

Already, exciting projects are underway. These include a book value chain imbizo in Kwa-Dukuza (Stanger), a collaboration with the Jacana Literary Foundation to deliver a postgraduate Work Skills Programme on publishing indigenous language poetry anthologies, and the launch of Thekgang Talking, an industry podcast spotlighting voices from across the sector. Upcoming initiatives also feature an Author Branding and Marketing workshop in the North West and the distribution of indigenous language books to schools in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

With these efforts, Thekgang NPC is positioning itself as a catalyst for change in South Africa’s publishing landscape, fostering a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable industry that not only supports creators but also ensures that local stories reach every corner of the country.