Top 10 Book Publishing Companies in South Africa: Your Guide

10 Must-Know Book Publishing Companies in South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide

• Jacana Media

Jacana Media is the only independent, owner-managed publishing house in South Africa. In 2018, Jacana Media was honoured with the Bologna Book Fair award for Best African Children’s Publisher, solidifying its reputation in the industry. A cornerstone of their ethos is the commitment to publishing in all 11 official South African languages.

Renowned for its groundbreaking approach and fierce independence, Jacana Media specializes in a diverse array of genres including arts, natural history, lifestyle, fiction, South African history, current affairs, children’s books, and more. They publish imaginative, award-winning, and visionary works that shape national discourse and address contemporary issues.

 Esteemed authors published by Jacana Media include Fred Khumalo, Ronnie Kasrils, Zoleka Mandela, Nthikeng Mohlele, and Colin Bundy.

• Jonathan Ball Publishers

Jonathan Ball Publishers was founded in 1976 to publish books of an independent character that enlighten and entertain. It specializes in South African politics, current affairs, biography, and history. The roster of acclaimed authors includes notable figures such as Jonny Steinberg, Redi Tlhabi, Mark Gevisser, Sisonke Msimang, Justice Malala, RW Johnson, and others.  

Jonathan Ball Publishers distributes many titles and authors, including the Harry Potter series, Wilbur Smith, Hilary Mantel, and Jodi Picoult. In addition to their publications, Jacana Media serves as a prominent agent for British and American publishers. 

• Pan Macmillan South Africa

Pan Macmillan is part of the Macmillan Group, which operates in over 70 countries worldwide. It  is among South Africa’s largest general book publishers, continually expanding its local catalogue.

Across a variety of regions, Macmillan Publishers has notable imprints. In the US, their publishers encompass Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Flatiron Books, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Picador, St. Martin’s Press, and Tor Books. In the UK, Australia, India, and South Africa, they publish under the name Pan Macmillan, while Holtzbrinck Deutsche Buchverlage in Germany includes imprints such as S. Fischer, Kiepenheuer and Witsch, Rowohlt, and Droemer Knaur.

• Xarra Books

Xarra Books was founded in 2006 to be the home of the African book. It is located near the Gallagher Conference Centre in Midrand. Founded by June Josephs-Langa and Dr. Khanyiso Mguni, it’s a proudly black-owned establishment. The name ‘Xarra,’ derived from the Khoi language, symbolizes unity among diverse people. Initially focused on book retail and distribution, Xarra Books expanded into publishing in 2014. Their first publication, “Homesoil In My Blood” by Prof Keorapetse Kgositsile, debuted in 2016. Xarra Books Publishing covers a wide array of genres including fiction, non-fiction, travel, life, and romance.

• Penguin Random House

The publishing portfolio of the company dates back to the 1800s and offers books and products for readers of all ages. The Penguin Random House family includes 80 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most popular authors.

Their team of publishing professionals specializes in helping authors publish their best work and exploring innovative methods to reach global audiences. They collaborate with authors at every stage of the publishing process, from editorial and design to sales and marketing. Additionally, they vigorously safeguard authors’ rights and advocate for freedom of expression, ensuring that authors’ voices reach communities worldwide, including Danielle Steel. 

• Struik Christian Media

Struik Christian Media is a leading publisher and distributor of Bibles, Christian and inspirational titles in South Africa. With a global network of Christian authors and publishers, they provide high-quality books to bookshops and online retailers in South Africa. Top authors include Angus Buchan, Joyce Meyer, TD Jakes, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and Dr. Myles Munroe.

• NB Publishers

NB Publishers is a major South African publishing house operating under seven main publisher names: Tafelberg, Human & Rousseau, Queillerie, Pharos, Kwela, Best Books, and Lux Verbi. They also publish Afrikaans love stories under Jasmyn, Satyn, Melodie, Mirre, and Hartklop.

Considered the largest local general publishers in South Africa, NB Publishers excel in adult fiction, child and youth books, and non-fiction. They primarily supply books to the South African trade markets and schools, offering a wide range of genres in Afrikaans and English, with some publications in local African languages.

Their diverse trade list includes popular and literary fiction, non-fiction, love stories, political tell-alls, biographies, young adult books, picture books, mass-market children’s books, and more. 

• Lapa Publishers

LAPA Publishers is a division of Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd. 

LAPA aims to offer affordable books for all ages.They prioritize providing contemporary stories in children’s mother tongues. Their fiction includes suspense, murder, love stories, and general fiction. 

LAPA specializes in original South African romances at budget-friendly prices. Non-fiction topics range from cooking and crafts to spiders and criminals. Editors work hard to develop authors and manuscripts. Becoming an LAPA writer isn’t easy, but it’s rewarding. LAPA is a trusted brand, thanks in part to their prize-winning authors.

•  Collegium Education Publishers

Collegium Education Publishers has been in the business of publishing school books for both primary and high schools since 2000. It is a joint venture between a group of Batswana and Via Afrika in South Africa. Collegium was established in August of the year 2000. Collegium has become one of Botswana’s leading publishers of school textbooks. The offices of the company are in the capital Gaborone.

• Van Schaik Publishers

Van Schaik Publishers regard themselves as “a leading academic publisher in the South African market”. In addition, Van Schaik is committed to providing high-quality, locally relevant textbooks and materials. Together with NB Publishers and Jonathan Ball Publishers, Collegium Education Publishers, these companies are part of the Media 24 Group. A variety of books are available from this publishing house, including tertiary textbooks, general market books, corporate training books, private and TVET books, etc.