Abstract:
The importance of statistical information on the South African book industry has been noted
by various role-players. Apart from the vested interest of publishers and the book trade,
statistical information on the industry is required by the South African government through
representative bodies such as the Publishers’ Association of South Africa (PASA) and the
South African Book Development Council (SABDC). There is also an increasing demand for
this kind of information by international bodies such as the International Publishers’
Association (IPA); the Board of the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF), especially since the latter is a
partner in the international Cape Town Book Fair; the organising body of the London Book
Fair; UNESCO and other institutions.