ABOUT MANO PUBLICATIONS
About Mano Publications
Mano Publications is a youth-focused educational publishing company founded by Siya Mabaso in 2021. Born out of a passion to inspire and transform the mindset of South African youth, Mano Publications is dedicated to producing books that speak directly to the challenges, dreams, and aspirations of young people.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to change attitudes, ignite ambition, and guide the next generation of leaders through relevant, relatable, and curriculum-aligned literature.
Originally launched in Pietermaritzburg, Mano Publications has since expanded and now operates from Richards Bay, where our main offices are based.
What We Offer
Mano Publications has built a strong catalogue of impactful titles, including:
Dream Chasers After High School
A motivational guide that helps learners navigate life beyond matric — from careers to purpose.Young Entrepreneurs: Starting and Running a Business in South Africa
A practical book that teaches the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, tailored to local conditions.Unbroken Futures
A CAPS-aligned, 226-page resource designed to spark deep conversations with learners about drug abuse, identity, and personal choices. Ideal for Grades 7 to 9.Opening the Door to Your Financial Future
A beginner-friendly financial literacy book that equips learners with essential knowledge about money, budgeting, saving, banking, credit, and long-term wealth-building — all written in accessible language and designed for teens.Storybooks of Wisdom
Engaging and insightful fiction titles written for young readers, delivering life lessons through storytelling.
In addition to these core titles, Mano Publications also has a variety of other books designed to educate, uplift, and inspire South Africa's youth — with more in development.
Our Vision
We envision a South Africa where learners not only pass exams, but also gain wisdom, self-confidence, and the critical thinking skills they need to thrive in a fast-changing world. Our books are already being read in classrooms, youth programmes, and households — and we aim to establish offices across all provinces to serve schools, NGOs, and government departments with culturally relevant, CAPS-aligned educational material.
Through Mano Publications, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to the work of the Department of Basic Education, and to help young South Africans stay on the path toward education, opportunity, and a better future.
OUR TEAM
Siya Mabaso – Founder of Mano Publications
Siya Mabaso is the founder and co-director of Mano Publications, a youth-centered publishing company dedicated to changing the lives of young South Africans through inspiring, relevant, and educational books.
Born and raised in Mpophomeni, a township just outside Pietermaritzburg, Siya developed a deep love for books at a young age. That passion for reading turned into a calling — not only to write, but to publish books that speak to the real challenges and dreams of South African youth.
Through Mano Publications, Siya has become a champion for young authors and a powerful voice in the world of education and youth development. His books — along with those he helps others publish — aim to inspire ambition, shift mindsets, and open new doors for the next generation.
Today, Siya continues to write, publish, and expand Mano Publications with a mission to reach schools, families, and communities across South Africa — empowering young people to read more, dream bigger, and live purposefully.
Ntsiki Dlakazela – Sales and Outreach Coordinator at Mano Publications
Ntsiki Dlakazela is a passionate and driven member of the Mano Publications team, playing a key role in sales, outreach, and community engagement. With a heart for young people and a deep belief in the power of books to change lives, Ntsiki is often the first point of contact for schools, parents, and organisations interested in our titles.
Her warm, relatable approach has helped build strong relationships across South Africa, introducing Mano Publications to new readers and partners. Whether she’s managing sales, setting up book exhibitions, or sharing our mission with communities, Ntsiki brings energy, purpose, and professionalism to everything she does.
She’s not just helping to sell books — she’s helping to shape futures.