Yamkela Tywakadi

What does your company do?

Blank Page Books is an independent South African publishing house that curates and publishes powerful, purpose-driven books across three key genres, each playing a vital role in nation building. 1. Entrepreneurial books, because we believe that entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of economic freedom. By publishing practical, accessible books for and by entrepreneurs, we help foster a culture of innovation, resilience, and self-determination among South Africans. One of our most successful titles in this category is Rising from the Township, co-authored by Dr. Steven Zwane and Yamkela Khoza Tywakadi. It’s a powerful blueprint for township-born entrepreneurs and has been so well received that it is now prescribed for the GIBS MBA Operations Management course. 2. Biographical books, telling the stories of individuals who have shaped South Africa into what it is today. These are stories of struggle, triumph, and leadership; stories that must be documented to preserve our collective memory, inspire future generations, and remind us of the power of ordinary people to create extraordinary change. A standout title in this category is Awakened to My True Self by Nonkululeko Gobodo, the first Black female Chartered Accountant in Africa and co-founder of SNG Grant Thornton, one of the few truly homegrown firms to make it onto the list of South Africa’s largest accounting firms. 3. Children’s books focused on financial literacy, because we believe that the earlier children learn about money, the better prepared they’ll be to make empowered financial decisions. One of our key offerings is the Sanda Money Series, a growing collection of engaging stories that teach kids about saving, budgeting, and financial goals in a fun and relatable way. These books were initially published under Blank Page Books, but due to growing demand and the unique needs of our younger audience, we recently launched a dedicated imprint, Lulo Africa, to house our children’s financial literacy products separately from adult content. All three of these genres: entrepreneurship, biography, and financial education for children, are critical to South Africa’s development. They build knowledge, instill pride, promote independence, and ultimately contribute to a more informed, economically active, and empowered society.

What is your biggest success?

Our biggest success has been the growth and national impact of our publishing house, particularly through the success of our flagship books and the strategic expansion of our children’s financial literacy offering. One standout achievement is the publication of Rising from the Township, an entrepreneurial book co-authored by Dr. Steven Zwane and myself, Yamkela Khoza Tywakadi. The book has not only sold widely across South Africa, but has also been prescribed as a core text for the MBA Operations Management course at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), a milestone that affirms both its educational value and practical relevance in the academic and corporate space. Another defining moment for our business has been the successful launch and reception of the Sanda Money Series, a collection of children’s books teaching financial literacy in a fun and age-appropriate way. This series started under Blank Page Books but grew so significantly that we created a dedicated imprint, Lulo Africa, to house and expand this offering. Seeing the books being used in households and schools to start financial conversations with children, especially in communities where money talk is often taboo, has been deeply fulfilling. Our ability to sell books in bulk to corporates for their social investment programmes, and to build a sustainable publishing model outside of traditional retail, has also been a game-changer. It has proven that a proudly South African, independent publisher can thrive while centering literacy, financial education, and nation-building.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Our biggest hurdle was starting with passion but without a clear, data-driven strategy. When we launched Blank Page Books in 2020, despite over 15 years of publishing experience, we chose genres based on personal preference without enough market research. Many titles didn’t resonate, resulting in slow sales and financial losses. We also focused on bookstores and libraries for distribution. Bookstores, with slow turnover, fierce competition, and limited shelf space, restricted our reach and visibility. In 2023, we shifted from working in the business to working on it. We developed a focused strategy targeting entrepreneurial, biographical, and children’s financial literacy books, genres that appeal strongly to corporate clients. We prioritized faster-moving sales channels like corporates, schools, and libraries. We also created Lulo Africa, a separate imprint for children’s books, enabling us to expand into merchandise and multimedia, supporting sustainable growth and impact.