The International Young Publisher of the Year Award (IYPYA) is a collaborative initiative between the British Council and London Book Fair and was launched in 2004 to celebrate the entrepreneurial and leadership ability of a young persons working in the publishing sector, who are between the ages of 25 and 35 years.

This award aims to strengthen creative leadership, networking and capacity building in the international publishing industry, particularly in transitional economies. The London Book Fair provides a fertile ground for international networking and the award offers finalists the opportunity to build contacts with, and an understanding of, the UK publishing industry.

The British Council South Africa has announced 34 year old Cape Town based publishing entrepreneur, Solomon Solani Ngobeni, as the country's 2007 finalist in this award.

Solani will undertake a ten day visit to the UK to participate in a fully interactive tour of the UK's publishing industry and compete against nine other country finalists from Argentina, Egypt, Hungary, India, Malta, Romania, Slovenia and Syria for the 2007 award title and a £7,500.00 cash prize to be used on a project that both suits the overall winner's specific needs and builds a relationship with the UK publishing sector.

At London Book Fair 2007, the British Council International Young Publisher of the Year award will be presented for the third time, celebrating the entrepreneurial abilities of a young person working in the publishing sector. The award recognises the importance of international experience and offers them the chance to build up their contacts with and understanding of the UK industry, one of the most important in the world. Through London Book Fair IYPY creates the space and opportunity for ideas to be cultivated, international networks developed, new work presented and rights traded.

More information about The International Young Publisher of the Year Award from Andrea Ogle at the British Council on 011 718-4318 or 073 031 8010 or email: andrea.ogle@britishcouncil.org.za