In The Spotlight: An online book store for African authors

When you think of a bookstore, a space packed with shelf upon shelf of books is probably what comes to mind. But that’s not the case for Asanda Khathi who is revolutionising how many South Africans and Africans read.

The 23 year old has created an online story reading platform called Ubuntu Bookstore.

“The idea came about as I realised most people would rather spend time on their phones these days than go out to the library or a bookstore,” she tells Move!.

Asanda is passionate about stories from African people being told and wants them to be easily accessible.

“A lot of talented writers I know, young and old, want to write a book to share their knowledge and stories, but getting a book published and in the hands of readers can be challenging. “This means a lot of writers often give up on their dreams,” she says. Having struggled as an aspiring writer herself, she was determined to create an alternative platform for stories to be told and read.

Asanda got her lucky break last year after she took a chance doing an online business course.

“I came across an online programme called Youth Ideas Development,” she says. The programme is facilitated by US-based NGO TechnoServe, which helps entrepreneurs worldwide to launch and manage their businesses.

“I applied for a course and told them about my idea to have an online bookstore featuring only African authors.”

After pitching the concept, an investor on the NGO’s panel, Lucas Moloi, reached out to Asanda to help her with the idea. He became her business partner and gave her an office to work from in Randburg, Gauteng.

“All of a sudden, after years of dreaming, I had a place to run the business, resources and funding,” Asanda says.

UBUNTU BOOKSTORE

It is set to launch later this month. Books will be available to buy from the website (ubuntubookstoree.com) or the Ubuntu Bookstore app from just R89,34 per book.

It will be available to access on a computer or smartphone via G Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore a and Kindle. As for the name of the a app, Asanda explains it stems from her mission to “unite African writer and readers through literature”.

Ubuntu Bookstore will also c commission services such as editing and a proofreading for a shared profit fit in book sales.

“I believe people should cha rge for their talents,” Asanda says. “If you possess something someone wants, it’s important to be able to make a living from it.”

“I began writing stories and publishing them on the app. My first story got over 15 000 readers, which was great, but I wasn’t being paid for it. I thought if I could have sold it for just R100 per story, that would have been R1 500 000 in my pocket! So, I sent my story to local publishers, but it never got accepted.”

She’s happy she took matters into her own hands. Ubuntu Bookstore will create a platform where stories can be enjoyed and writers will get paid for their efforts, she says.

Once a story is submitted and accepted, a contract is drawn up between Ubuntu Bookstore and the author. Stories can be submitted in any South African language.

“I’ve Ive very excited about this venture. My next goal is just to have a bigger office and to have employees, a space where everyone can have a voice, just like with writing a book,” she says.