The complexities of extending networks of any description across a country the size of South Africa, or a continent as vast as Africa, have occupied the minds of conquerors, colonisers, businesses and governments for centuries.

The sheer distances involved, plus the geographical and other barriers, have made rolling out infrastructure in Africa somewhat expensive, and it’s limited as a result. This lack of road and telecommunications networks means a lack of other facilities – like bookstores – in many areas.