Training related to publishing in South Africa - University degrees and short courses
Last Updated - Nov 2017
Book Publishing in South Africa is a very small industry. Educating yourself on the processes involved in created and publishing a good book can sometimes seem daunting. For those who might be interested in pursuing a role in publishing, here are some places where you can get smarter, for a fee.
This information is not mine and has been lovingly compiled by the talented lecturer heading up the publishing studies qualification at Wits – Colleen Dawson. (We love you Colleen – Thanks for sharing!)
(At the end of the post I will share some of the online platforms I have used to hone my publishing skills.)
1: University of the North West
School of Languages, Vaal Triangle Campus
Who
Melanie Law, Programme Leader: Language Practice
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 016-910-3508
What
We offer several Honours modules as part of our Honours curriculum in language practice. The modules can be taken individually for non-degree purposes.
|
Course |
Level (NQF) |
Admission requirement |
|
Applications in Language Practice: translation |
8 |
Preferably one language to third year level and possible entrance exam |
|
Applications in Language Practice: text editing |
8 |
Preferably one language to third year level and possible entrance exam |
|
Journalism and publishing studies |
8 |
Preferably one language to third year level and possible entrance exam |
|
Media translation |
8 |
Preferably one language to third year level and possible entrance exam |
2: University of Pretoria
Department of Information Science, School of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering, the Building Environment and Information Technology
Who
Dr Beth le Roux, Publishing Studies coordinator
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 012-420-2426
What
Degree courses
- Three-year Bachelor of Information Science (BIS) and
- BIS Honours specialising in Publishing.
- There is also a research-based MIS degree and PhD degree specialising in Publishing.
Admission requirements: Matric with university exemption for the BIS degree; BIS degree for the Honours.
Course are done mostly as a full degree. We do allow external students to 'catch up' with the Publishing subjects in order to qualify to do the Honours, and we do sometimes allow people with a degree in another field to do the Honours if they have worked in the publishing industry. The individual Honours modules can be done for non-degree purposes.
Short course - Editing: Principles and Practice
Who
Department of English
Mrs I Noomé, Course coordinator, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 012-420-3379, 012-420-2421
What
Course is on detailed English language editing, including electronic editing. The editing course is largely practical in nature.
Admission requires a Bachelor’s degree and is strictly at the discretion of the course co-ordinator. Only a limited number of students can be accepted per year. The course normally runs from the end of January to the end of June.
3: University of Stellenbosch
Department of Afrikaans and Dutch
Who
Dr Amanda Lourens, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 021-808-2160
What
Short courses listed below are 12-week courses.
|
Course |
Level (NQF) |
Language |
Admission requirement |
|
Translation Methodology |
8 |
English, but Afrikaans is accommodated |
Any B degree |
|
Translation Practice (Afr-Eng, Eng-Afr, Eng-Xhosa) |
8 |
Course is presented in the target language (i.e. Translation Practice Afr-Eng is presented in English) |
Any B degree |
|
Literary translation (Afr-Eng and Eng-Afr as one course) |
8 |
English and Afrikaans |
Any B degree |
|
Editing Methodology |
8 |
English, but Afrikaans is accommodated |
Any B degree |
|
Editing practice (Afrikaans, English, Xhosa) |
8 |
Course is presented in the target language (i.e. Editing Practice Xhosa is presented in Xhosa) |
Any B degree |
All these courses can be done as standalone courses, but please note that the methodology courses (Editing Methodology and Translation Methodology) have to be passed before students may register for the practical courses.
4: University of Witwatersrand
School of Literature, Language and Media, Faculty of Humanities
Who
Colleen Dawson, Publishing Studies coordinator,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 011-717-4140, 083-308-2335
What
Degree courses
BA Honours in Publishing Studies requires an undergraduate degree for entrance.
MA Publishing Studies by coursework. Entrance with an Honours degree, either in Publishing Studies or another subject.
MA by research or PhD on discussion with course coordinator.
Honours modules may be done as short/occasional courses for non-degree purposes or for RPL to gain admission to Honours degree course without an undergraduate degree. Entrance test may be required.
Short/occasional courses, School of Literature, Language and Media
These modules are available in the same class and with the same assessment as the Honours modules. All modules are 12 weeks.
|
Course |
Level (NQF) |
|
Publishing Environment |
8 |
|
Proofreading and copyediting in English |
8 |
|
Sales and Marketing for Publishing |
8 |
|
Commissioning and Finance for Publishing |
8 |
|
Management and Finance for Publishing |
8 |
Short courses, Wits Language School
Who
www.witslanguageschool.com, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 011 717 4208
What
Wits Language School runs a variety of language based courses including editing, language enhancement, translation and transcription. Some of the most relevant courses are listed in the table below.
Admission is generally with a Matric certificate and admission test. There may be further requirements for individual courses.
|
Course |
Level (NQF) |
|
Editing for Professionals |
7 |
|
Transcription Skills |
5 |
|
Language Refinement for Language Practitioners |
5 |
|
Professional Language Enhancement, Transcription and Report Writing |
8 |
Private training institutions and organisations
1: Association of Southern African Indexers and Bibliographers
Who
Marlene Burger, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 012-660-0911,
What
Courses from half day to four days on basics of indexing, indexing books, periodicals, reports, indexing of bibliographies, footnotes and EPUB indexing. Offered in Johannesburg and other centres.
2: Kate McCallum
Who
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 021-461-5392
What
One and two day courses on aspects of publishing such as Commissioning, Copyright and Contracts, Finance for Non-financial Managers, other aspects of publishing management. Offered in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
3: McGillivray Linnegar Associates
Who
John Linnegar, , This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 021-552-5240
What
Two and three-day courses in Proofreading, Copyediting, Project Management. Offered in Cape Town and Gauteng.
4: Professional Editors Group
Who
Isabelle Delvare, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
What
Half day or day long courses on various aspects of editing in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa, and on editing theses and dissertations. Offered in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Mentoring of new editors.
5: South African Translators' Institute
There is a formal certification issued by the South African Translators' Institute, called Accreditation. It has been in operation for many years. Accreditation is only issued to candidates who pass a stiff editing certification examination. Accreditation standards are extremely high. A less expensive "trial" option is also available, with some guidance on where improvement is necessary.
6: Clarity Editorial
Who
Jennifer Stastny, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 021 702 1177, 082 550 5600 (Writer, editor, trainer and project manager)
What
Clarity Editorial offers training in writing and editing training for corporates nationwide and small groups (Cape Town only). Courses usually run over two days and are very practical in nature.
Interested people can email me on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Online Alternatives
Here are two of the online platforms I used to skill on the self-publishing industry – I can highly recommend both. Oh, did I mention that they are both free?
Did this information help you? Can you think of any omissions?
Come on South Africans – Give some feedback, a share or even just a thanks in the comments – That is what makes my day :)
