Cape Town, 31 August 2026: Cape Town’s book lovers have a good reason to browse for their next read this September, with Cavendish Square’s annual Books With Purpose charity sale taking place from Thursday, 17 September to Sunday, 20 September 2026.

Taking place on the lower ground and ground levels of the centre, the four-day sale will bring together thousands of pre-loved books and a diverse group of local charities and community organisations, with proceeds from books sold going to various non-profit organisations, all of which do incredible work in their areas of need.

Whether looking for a new novel to disappear into, a great holiday read, books for younger readers, or an unexpected second-hand find, shoppers can browse the selection while knowing their purchases will help support valuable work being done in the Cape.

Turning Pages Into Support

Fourteen organisations will participate in this year’s sale: Doing It For The Orphans, Lamberts and Elands Bay Animal Protection Society, St Luke’s Combined Hospices, Nazareth House, Plumpets Animal Shelter, Animal Rescue Organisation, Domestic Animal Rescue Group, TEARS Animal Rescue, SA Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind, Woodside Special Care Centre, Cat Trapping and Sterilisation Network, U-turn Homeless Ministries, Help the Rural Child and Sinako After School Care.

For Cavendish Square, the annual event offers a simple way for the wider community to get behind these organisations. A book that has already been read and enjoyed can find a new home while generating funds to help another cause continue its work.

“There is something very special about seeing our community come together to support so many different causes through something as simple as buying a book,” says Cavendish Square Centre Manager, Faizah Behardien. “We encourage Capetonians to visit the sale, enjoy the experience of finding a great pre-loved read and, importantly, help these organisations continue the valuable work they do.”

More Than Two Decades of Giving

The charity book sale has been running for more than two decades, beginning when Beverley Whelehan brought several charities together to raise funds through selling pre-loved books. Today, her sister Rosalie Jack manages the event and says the continued enthusiasm of the participating organisations remains central to its success.

“What began with my late sister Beverley over two decades ago has grown into an event that the charities and our supporters genuinely look forward to each year,” says Jack. “There is always such wonderful energy around the sale, and it is incredibly rewarding to see books passed on to new readers while helping the participating organisations raise much-needed funds. We hope Cape Town’s book lovers will once again come out in numbers and support them.”

For more details on Cavendish Square shopping centre stores and promotions, visit cavendish.co.za or follow the centre on social media for regular updates on Instagram.

Your support makes stories like this possible!

Underground Press relies entirely on your generosity, enabling us to report on the entertainment industry, free of charge and independently. Your contribution ensures millions worldwide can continue to visit our site for amazing content from around the web.
*Currency in South African Rands (ZAR)