POLICY DEVELOPMENT

After some initial research into book development in 2004, the SABDC lobbied government to develop a National Book Policy. Based on the strength of the case, the National Department of Arts & Culture (DAC) contracted the SABDC to develop such policy for South Africa.

The policy was developed under the auspices of the Transformation Committee (a working group dealing with diversity at the time) and at the beginning of 2005, the SABDC started with its first round of consultations. At a ground-breaking industry workshop in August 2005, the 2nd draft, with some minor changes, was accepted as the strategic plan for the sector.

Draft 3 was submitted to the DAC in December 2005

BOOK INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The SABDC is in the process of identifying book development strategies across the world. International best practice will be used to inform the implementation plan for the National Book Policy.

The aim of this project is to develop projects to grow and develop a strong, sustainable, indigenous and financially viable book sector in South Africa, where diverse stakeholders can meet the diverse needs of the country.

A number of African and other countries with book development strategies have been used to inform this plan.

The SABDC will start consultations on this plan during 2009.