Netflix’s breakout hit The Polygamist has pulled thousands of viewers into the story behind Sue Nyathi’s bestselling novel, but copyright advocates warn that a growing number of readers are skipping legitimate purchases in favor of illegally circulated PDF versions.
Novel resurfaces after Netflix momentum
Originally published in 2012, the book has surged back into the spotlight following the streaming service’s adaptation. With the audience expanding, campaigners say pirated copies are spreading quickly online.
They claim unauthorized PDF files are being shared widely across social media platforms and via WhatsApp. There are also reports of pirated printed copies showing up in Kenya, raising fears that the issue could move beyond the region.
Copyright advocates call it theft—and warn of wider damage
Chola Makgamathe, chairperson of the Copyright Coalition of South Africa and a leader in Partners Against Piracy (Pap), said many people underestimate the harm caused when copyrighted material is distributed without permission.
In her remarks, Makgamathe stressed that sharing is not harmless, describing the act of distributing a PDF version of The Polygamist—or any copyrighted work in print, digital, or visual form—as theft. She added that while the behavior may appear friendly or even supportive of an African creative project, anyone who passes along and reads the file is committing a crime.
Why the consequences reach far beyond one book
Makgamathe argued that book creation requires years of effort and that legal sales help support a wide network of professionals, including authors and editors, publishers, booksellers, and marketers. When readers opt for pirated copies instead of buying the book, she said the losses are felt across the entire chain.
- She said piracy drains income from the people who help produce, distribute, and promote books.
- She warned that future African storytelling could be jeopardized because sales data often influences whether a novel is adapted for film or television.
- She noted publishers also rely on sales to decide whether to fund more books from the same author.
Appeals to readers: pay for the work and slow the spread
Makgamathe said the goal is to see more African stories reach audiences, but that requires sustained investment at every stage—from writing and production to distribution and promotion.
She said support is needed for authors and writers to devote time to developing new works, for production companies and publishers to bring stories to life, for distributors to place titles in stores and online, and for publicity and marketing teams to raise visibility.
Makgamathe also placed the responsibility on readers, urging them to back African creators by paying for their work rather than pirating content.
She said piracy removes money from the industry for every viewed or read copy, and she framed the issue as an ethical, moral, and social responsibility for consumers—so creators can keep telling the stories of characters audiences love and sharing African culture with the world.
Nyathi urges fans to pause before buying or sharing pirated copies
Nyathi added her own direct message to readers, asking them to think twice about purchasing or passing along unauthorized copies.
She said writers struggle to earn a living from book sales alone, and that buying or sharing a pirated copy steals from their livelihood. She emphasized that writing a book can take years and argued that the minimum readers can do to support literary careers is to buy the work.
