Quick answer
You can buy school stationery at stationery shops, supermarkets, discount and variety stores, bookshops and office-supply stores, and many schools also sell their own packs or work with a supplier that makes up the whole list for you.
Start with the official list from the school, because it often names specific items, brands, sizes or colours, and some schools ask for items to be covered and labelled before the first day.
Step-by-step guidance
- Get the official stationery list for each grade from the school, its website or the class group.
- Ask the school whether it sells a ready-made pack or has a supplier that delivers or packs the full list.
- Check what you already have from last year, such as scissors, calculators, rulers and pencil cases.
- Buy the specific items first, such as a named calculator or exam pad, then the general items.
- Cover and label books and stationery before the first school day if the school asks for it.
What to check
- Exact specifications on the list, such as book size, number of pages, ruled or quad, and calculator model
- Whether a stationery shop will make up the full list for you, and how long that takes in January
- Whether items are for the child or go into a shared class supply
- Return and exchange terms, in case the teacher changes the list
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving shopping until the last week before term, when stock of popular items runs low
- Buying a different calculator model to the one the list specifies
- Buying items that the school's own pack already includes
- Not labelling items, which makes lost stationery hard to recover
Related nearby services
NearMe lists 93 stationery shops across South Africa, with the most in Gauteng (24), Western Cape (13) and KwaZulu-Natal (4). 65% include a phone number, so you can check before you go.
Find stationery shops near you
This guide gives general information only. Rules, fees and requirements can change, so confirm details with the provider or the relevant authority. NearMe is an independent directory, not the provider.
Frequently asked questions
When should I buy school stationery?
As soon as the school releases the list, usually towards the end of the previous year. Stock and queues get worse close to the start of the first term.
Can a shop make up my child’s stationery list?
Many stationery shops and some schools offer this service. Ask in advance, as it gets busy in January.
Does NearMe show stationery prices?
No. Our listing source does not carry prices, so compare by asking each shop directly.