Kairos Ark is an independent publishing and research house dedicated to celebrating and preserving African arts, culture, and heritage. Our mission is to share the richness and diversity of African narratives, while supporting development through literature. We believe in the transformative power of stories and the essential role they play in shaping societies, nurturing identities, and fostering growth.

We publish poetry, memoirs, books in indigenous languages, children’s fiction and non-fiction. We excited about publishing both individual and collaborative works that offer new perspectives on African cultures, traditions, and livelihoods.

Our goal is to publish stories that captivate readers of all ages, transporting them into the untold, reimagined worlds inspired by the continent’s vast landscapes and cultural wealth. We are particularly committed to nurturing young readers, providing them with literature that reflects their heritage and inspires future generations of African storytellers.

Our research focuses on the vital intersections between Africa’s creative industries and socio-economic development. We are grounded in the belief that arts and culture are not only expressions of identity but also engines of growth, playing a pivotal role in the continent’s transformation.

Kairos Ark was founded by Qhali in the heart of South Africa’s Eastern Cape province. Qhali is a bilingual poet, author, development practitioner, and social justice activist with a master’s degree in Creative Writing from Rhodes University and a background in economics and development. She is a Racial Equity Fellow at the Atlantic Fellows, and a Research and Development Director at the Steve Biko Precinct in the Eastern Cape. She is also the founder of Qhali-Sizwe Youth Mission, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting rural-based children, youth and women in South Africa through the transformative power of arts, indigenous languages and heritage.  Her passion for literature and social justice infuses everything we do at Kairos Ark.

Behind every book we publish is a dedicated team of freelance editors, translators, and designers who share a deep love for African literature and a commitment to its growth. As an independent house, our work is driven by passion, collaboration, and a shared vision of sharing one powerful story at a time.