From the editor

The South African book industry was abuzz in September and November as two locally published non-fiction titles, both exposing Jacob Zuma, rocked the nation.

The launch of Redi Thlabi’s book Kwezi at Exclusive Books in Hyde Park in September stood apart as the only book launch in the history of the country that was so well attended it had to be held in the concourse of the mall with people standing on the upper levels as if in a stadium. Over 500 people attended the event which received huge media attention. In a country where book launches are normally attended by a small crowd of the usual suspects, this really was unprecedented.

Just a few weeks after this watershed moment in the SA book industry’s calendar, the top secret and embargoed The President’s Keepers – Those keeping Zuma in Power and out of Prison by investigative journalist Jacques Pauw, launched at Exclusive Books Hyde Park to a crowd of nearly 1000 people, again in the concourse of the mall, with a giant Christmas tree and big screens lighting up the action. That is until the power was mysteriously cut and the back up generators failed to kick in. Nevertheless, the people stayed and Jacques Pauw carried on signing books with a cell phone flashlight.

For some, the launch represented a rallying point against the scourge of state corruption. The action against the book has provoked solidarity from civil society both locally and globally. The President’s Keepers is being reviewed and featured in global media from the Guardian to the Financial Times and as the controversy surrounding it escalates, so does the interest.

For others the hype surrounding the book itself, along with the sales generated, is simply exciting.

Pauw’s book was officially sold out of its first print run of 40,000 copies, before it was even launched and the new run of 30,000 is largely pre-sold. Exclusive Books sold 3455 copies on the day it hit the shelves and it shot to the top of the Nielsen best seller list. It is now recorded as the fastest-selling book since official Nielsen data gathering began in 2004.

“Together with Redi Thlabi’s explosive book Khwezi, which released at the end of September, Pauw’s book might just have an effect on the political landscape, while at the same time resurrecting a struggling local book market,” says Olinka Nell in her report on page 9.

Pauw’s book is also being widely circulated – for free – as a PDF via Whatsapp, which has stirred up another debate in the publishing world around copyright, the illegal sharing of digital media and the future of the book, a topic dealt with in this issue of Bookmark on pages 22.

Pauw’s opinion is this: “If you have a PDF copy and can afford to buy a book, please do it. Erase the PDF and buy a book or the kindle version. If you cannot afford a book, go for it and read it. You have my blessing. This is not about money…”

It is an interesting angle to take considering how much hard work went into the book and how Pauw endangered his life to bring it out.

In this edition of Bookmark we also look at the South African Literary Awards, the SA Book Fair, Frankfurt, the Blockchain, Puku Children’s Literature Foundation, Audiobooks, and BELA.

It has been an interesting year full firsts, full of change. I hope it continues in the same vein next year. Until then; Merry Christmas, happy holiday reading and happy new year.

Jessica.