New school textbooks in South Africa cost R150-R400 each, with a full set of high school books easily reaching R3,000-R5,000. Second-hand textbooks save parents 40-60% and are perfectly adequate for learning. This guide covers where to find them, what to check, and how to sell your old books.
Where to Buy Second-Hand Textbooks
School-Run Book Exchanges
Many South African schools organise annual book exchanges, usually in November or December. Parents drop off old textbooks and buy what they need for the next year at discounted prices. Ask your school's parent body or SGB about their programme. This is the easiest and most reliable source.
Online Platforms
- Facebook Marketplace and school parent groups: Search for your school name plus "textbooks" on Facebook. Most active in November-January.
- Bid or Buy: South Africa's auction site has a dedicated textbook section.
- Gumtree: Filter by your city for local collection. Meet in a public place.
- Takealot Marketplace: Some sellers offer used textbooks alongside new ones.
Specialist Second-Hand Bookshops
- Johannesburg: Bookdealers of Melville, Reader's Warehouse Braamfontein
- Cape Town: Clarke's Bookshop, Book Lounge Observatory
- Pretoria: Bargain Books Menlyn, Protea Bookshop
- Durban: Adams Bookshop, Essenwood Market book stalls
What to Check Before Buying
- Edition number: Confirm with the teacher that the edition you are buying is still accepted. CAPS-aligned textbooks from 2012 onwards are generally current, but some subjects have updated editions.
- ISBN match: The ISBN (13-digit number on the back) must match the school's prescribed list exactly.
- Page condition: Missing pages make a textbook useless. Flip through quickly to check. Highlighting and notes are acceptable and can even be helpful.
- Binding integrity: Check that the spine is intact and pages are not falling out. Rebinding costs R50-R100 and often is not worth it.
How to Sell Your Old Textbooks
Do not throw away textbooks at the end of the year. They have real value:
- School exchange programme: First option, easiest, helps the school community.
- Facebook groups: Post in your school's parent group and local community groups. Include the ISBN, edition, condition, and price.
- Pricing guide: Second-hand textbooks typically sell for 40-60% of the new price if in good condition. Older editions or poor condition books sell for 20-30%.
- Donate: If books are unsellable, donate to organisations like READ Educational Trust, Book Dash, or your school's library.
Find textbook suppliers near you for new books, or browse by city to find local options.