History

Media24 is Africa’s leading publishing group and has interests in newspapers, magazines, internet businesses, book publishing (Via Afrika), printing plants and distribution companies. Media24 also has many international and local sister companies in the media industry through its holding company, Naspers. Van Schaik Publishers is part of Via Afrika, which controls several independent business units in the book publishing sector. Thebe Investment Corporation is an associate of Van Schaik Publishers through its 30 per cent shareholding in Nasou Via Afrika (Pty) Ltd.

Via Afrika controls several independent business units in the book-publishing and distribution and niche retail sectors. It consists of two divisions: Publishers/Agents and Retail/Distribution. Publishers/Agents focuses on editorial activities which involve purchasing or developing content, creating or reworking and packaging or repackaging textual content. These are primarily in traditional formats such as hard-copy books or in electronic formats such as CDs. Retail/Distribution focuses on providing and selling print and digital products through channels such as wholesalers, clubs and stores.