• Our Vision

    To be Africa’s go-to destination for academic resources.

  • Our Mission

    To provide every student in Africa with access to quality academic resources, through our bookstores and digital platforms, and combining expert knowledge with outstanding service.

  • Our Values

    Respect, Informed, Excellence, Creativity and Integrity.

What We Offer

Our offerings go far beyond just books. We support institutions, professionals, and students with a full range of products and services:

  • Books & more: Academic and general books (print and digital), reference materials, electronics, lifestyle items, and stationery.

  • Retail stores: 60+ stores across Southern Africa, conveniently located near or on campuses.

  • Online shopping: Shop anytime at vanschaik.com with nationwide delivery.

  • Call centre: Friendly support for orders, availability, and product info.

  • Direct sales: Tailored textbook solutions for remote campuses and niche markets.

  • Library services: National supply partner for schools, colleges, universities, and public libraries.

Who Are Our Customers?

We proudly serve a wide and diverse customer base to achieve the critical mass required and successfully manage a reasonable stock holding that reflects a business that is well managed. Our main customers are institutions, lecturers, other professionals, parents, students, academic faculties, government departments and libraries.

  • Institutions: We’re close to or on all public tertiary campuses in South Africa, offering bursary management and dedicated academic supply.

  • Lecturers: We work with you to ensure the right books are in the right place at the right time.

  • Students: From flexible payments such as our store card, Fundi and Intellicard/Intellimali. To having our expert staff and fully stocked shelves, we’re here to help you succeed.

  • General public: Looking for a bestseller, magazine, or school supplies? We’ve got that too…and if we don’t we can get that in for you.

Social Impact

We believe education can uplift communities. That’s why our Corporate Social Investment focuses on literacy and learning. We have supported organisations like Love Life, SHAWCO, and many grassroots projects, and continue to offer bursaries, donations, and community support nationwide.

Leadership Team

  • Ugan Poobalan

    Managing Director

  • Dieter Buchner

    Chief Financial Officer

  • Margaret Vyver-Rambau

    Marketing Executive

  • Chris Fouche

    Special Project Manager

  • Joseph Khumalo

    Sales and Operations Manager

Our Legacy

From a single store to a nationwide network, from print to digital, Van Schaik has always led with purpose. We’re still growing. Still innovating. Still putting learners first. And we’re just getting started!