How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page reads 'First published in [year] by Kwela Books' (Cape Town) as an imprint of NB Publishers (Naspers/Media24's book group).
- Inherits NB Publishers house practice: a 'First published' year statement, often 'First edition, first impression [year]', and may carry a descending number line — the first printing is the earliest impression / has '1' present.
- No reprint or later-impression notice on the first state; the imprint line names Kwela / NB Publishers.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1994 in Cape Town as an imprint of NB Publishers (the Naspers/Media24 trade-book group, alongside Tafelberg, Human & Rousseau, Queillerie and others).
- A post-apartheid house that nurtured fresh South African fiction (e.g. Achmat Dangor, K. Sello Duiker, Zakes Mda, Niq Mhlongo) — Dangor's 'Bitter Fruit' was the first SA-published novel shortlisted for the Man Booker.
- As an NB Publishers imprint it follows that group's copyright-page and impression conventions rather than an idiosyncratic small-press style.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Kwela (imprint of NB Publishers). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Kwela Books book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page reads 'First published in [year] by Kwela Books' (Cape Town) as an imprint of NB Publishers (Naspers/Media24's book group). Inherits NB Publishers house practice: a 'First published' year statement, often 'First edition, first impression [year]', and may carry a descending number line — the first printing is the earliest impression / has '1' present.
Does Kwela Books use a number line?
Inherits NB Publishers house practice: a 'First published' year statement, often 'First edition, first impression [year]', and may carry a descending number line — the first printing is the earliest impression / has '1' present.
Is a book-club edition a Kwela Books first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1994 in Cape Town as an imprint of NB Publishers (the Naspers/Media24 trade-book group, alongside Tafelberg, Human & Rousseau, Queillerie and others).
What era does this cover?
This covers Kwela Books (1994-present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.