Thrifting is cool. At Oasis, it’s even cooler!

At thrift shops and other used goods stores you not only find unique items and cool clothing at great prices, but you also do your bit for the environment. The “green” side of thrifting is that you’re buying products that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

From clothing to collectibles, books to bric-a-brac, furniture to fine art, thrifting at the Oasis Association charity shops in Claremont, Fish Hoek and Elsies River offers more than affordability alone. Customers choose to frequent our shops knowing they will find clean, quality items, beautiful displays, attentive staff and a happy atmosphere. Cash-strapped students, frugal moms, discerning collectors and shopaholics alike all become part of the Oasis family, not only getting more for their money, but in turn adding value to the lives of the intellectually disabled beneficiaries for whom Oasis exists.

Buying second-hand is fashionable

With the global focus on recycling, buying second-hand has never been more fashionable, nor has it been more necessary since the economic devastation of Covid. Thrifting is the new buzzword, and Oasis has tailored this concept to fit every pocket and need. Here moms find clothing, books, toys and games in good condition, for a fraction of what they would cost new. Students, homemakers and even restaurateurs browse for glassware, kitchenware, appliances, décor items and furniture going for a song. Add to that vintage treasures, a vast array of art, music from CDs to vinyl records, fabulous clothes and books in top condition and you have something for everyone. But the added drawcard is the sheer enjoyment of browsing in well-designed spaces that are clean, organised and visually appealing.

“thrifting at Oasis is a conscious choice because the money makes a sustainable difference to human lives.”

Drop off a bag of your old clothes or unused goods

Along with our drop-off recycling depot, we welcome donations of any items that are in good condition that can be sold, as the income from our shops is the lifeblood of our organisation, enabling us to provide our beneficiaries with employment, holistic care and a better quality of life. For the many customers who understand this cycle, thrifting at Oasis is a conscious choice, because their money makes a sustainable difference to human lives.

Thrift shopping really is a win for everyone — your closet, your wallet, your fellow humans AND your planet!

Shop details and opening hours

Claremont
Corner of Lee and Imam Haron Roads.
Mondays – Fridays: 8:30am – 3:30pm,
Saturdays: 9am – 1pm.
Closed on Sundays and public holidays

 Fish Hoek
Shop no 4, Somerset House, 6 Recreation Road.
Tuesdays – Fridays: 8:30am – 3:30pm, Saturdays: 8:30am – 1pm.
Closed on Mondays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Elsies River
Corner of 16th Street & 8th Avenue.
Mondays – Fridays: 9am – 3:30pm.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

When you shop at Oasis, you shop with conscience. Revamping your closet and home, while donating to a good cause.

It doesn’t matter which shop you choose: Claremont, Fish Hoek or Elsies River, the income from these charity shops is the lifeblood of our organisation, and enables us to do the work we do, while providing work opportunities for our intellectually disabled beneficiaries.

And please always remember that we welcome saleable quality donations of second-hand books, household goods, toys and games, décor items, small appliances/electronics (working), clothing, jewellery, shoes, small furniture, DVDs/CDs, art, etc.

1. Claremont Village of Shops

The Oasis Village of Shops in Claremont is one of Cape Town’s hidden gems.

The Oasis Association for Intellectual Disability has a little “village” of four shops at the corner of Lee and Imam Haron Road, Claremont.

This circuit of delight is home to all things pre-loved and vintage, from clothing and jewellery, to hats, second-hand furniture, books, vinyl records, accessories and more.

– Our second-hand clothing store

There’s nothing more satisfying than trawling through rails and boxes of clothes to come home with unique vintage pieces bought at a fraction of the original cost. Our second-hand clothing store is an Aladdin’s cave of pre-loved clothing ranging from hats, bags, scarves, and dresses to men’s and kiddies’ wear. Even some throwback memorabilia from the 80’s and 90’s to help you get your groove on.

– Bookshop, including an art gallery and furniture

Books, vinyl records, maps, textbooks, plays, antiques, prints – on subjects ranging from children’s literature and nursery rhymes to recipe books by Jamie Oliver and fiction for adults – you’ll find all this and more.

All the books and art are categorised and alphabetised – we know you won’t leave empty handed.  And, our stock changes constantly, so be sure to pop in regularly.

– Oasis bric-a-brac shop

Our bric-a-brac shop has an abundance of pre-loved homeware – cutlery, crockery, vases, framed paintings, toys, puzzles and many other treasures. Stock changes daily, so pop in to see what we have instore.

While you are browsing you will more than likely catch the whiff of freshly baked breads, enticing you from the centre display. The bakery is integral to Oasis’ service and all the goods are made by our beneficiaries. Try our shortbread, brownies, muffins, swiss rolls and other baked goods, all available for sale or on pre-order – or sold to be enjoyed in the tea garden outside.

And our brand-new shopping area
– Lavender Shop

Lavender is the newest addition to the Oasis offering.  Specialising in collectibles, editions of excellent quality used books and goods, treasured collectibles, art, and antiquities.

Then, once your bargain-hunting is done, sit down and treat yourself to cup of tea or a cappuccino and indulge in a decadent scone or one of our infamous creamy chicken toasted sandwiches!

Pop in today!

Where: Corner Lee and Imam Haron, Claremont
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm;
Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Closed Sundays.

2. Fish Hoek Oasis books and bric-a-brac shop

Our ever-popular bargain shop in the bustling heart of Fish Hoek’s suburbia is a treasure trove of boxes and rails with stylish vintage clothing, records, books, paintings, and trinkets. Here you will find a range of high-quality décor and Bric-a-Brac items, as well as a wonderful selection of books.

Where: Shop no 4, Somerset House, 6 Recreation Road, Fish Hoek
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm;
Saturday 8:30am – 1:00pm
Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

3. Elsies River Oasis bric-a-brac shop

Our ever-popular pre-loved goods shop in Elsies River is on the same premises as the Protective Workshop. Practical, pre-loved, must-haves – here, you can shop for electronics, toys, clothes, books, DVDs and more – all at bargain prices!

Where: 16th Street & 8th Avenue, Elsies River
Opening hours: Mondays – Fridays: 9am – 3:30pm.
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

We invite you to pop in to one of our charity shops and browse our wide range of pre-loved fashion, books, baked goods, bric-a-brac and more.

At Oasis, there’s something for everyone!

Let’s talk books! Old, new, used, borrowed. Does it really matter? A good book is a journey, no matter the journey of the book. If you are not yet a convert to the thrift movement and are still teetering on the edge, here are six good reasons to convert to buying second-hand books.

The price.

Let’s cut to the basics. Price. This is probably the biggest and most obvious reason to buy second-hand books. If you’re an accomplished reader, buying books second-hand will make a huge difference to your wallet. You can buy ‘almost new’ or rare and hard-to-find second-hand books at a good charity book shop. A new book can be pricey. A good, pre-loved book is always affordable. And the great thing is, regardless of price, its magic remains unchanged.

The Environment.

Second-hand is not cheaper simply because its ‘second-hand’ or an inferior product, it’s cheaper because there are no hidden costs built into the resale. No hidden ink, paper, glue, and storage costs that still need to be covered.  That’s all paid up in full! So that little investment, has a much smaller carbon footprint. Plus, if you buy second-hand books from a charity shop, the stock is entirely from donations and supports a good cause.

Finding notes in the margins.

You may or may not agree, but there is something to be said about old books, with ‘To my beloved’ notes on the cover page, dated 1928. Yes, some people love to keep every book pristine, but sometimes finding a personal inscription or little note between the pages adds so much character to a book. It’s lovely to read why someone thought their friend would love that book, or which passages meant a lot to the previous owner. And just like that you are no longer strangers! That momentary glimpse through time, becomes a journey unexpectedly shared with a good friend.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your world.
But the love of books is the best of all” Jackie Kennedy

The pressure is off to keep it pristine.

I’m not sure how you feel about new books, but some can be rather intimidating. That wonderful new book smell screams to be preserved. The spine seems to weep and scar when you over-indulge and open too enthusiastically. It leaves you plagued with guilt for tagging the corner, no matter how small, or pencilling alongside a memorable quote. You feel irresponsible and neglectful, obligated to leave them as pristine as they are, perfect and unused. Not so, with used second-hand books. The pressure is off. The spine is already a little cracked and this leaves you free to just be and enjoy the journey.

Finding something new.

Life can do with a little more surprises. Every day, online, we order exactly what we need. A particular book, by a particular author, from a particular genre, at a particular price. And we get stuck, with no space or time for the unexpected! Not so in a second-hand bookstore. Unlike online or high price book stores where everything is organised and orderly, charity book shops are a journey of discovery. Some books are old, some new, some best sellers, some you literally cannot find anywhere else.

It goes to a good cause.

And yes, you guessed it, the five-star reason for shopping second-hand – is charity. In the case of charity shops like ours, all the funds raised from the sale of the books goes towards a great cause. Not only are you getting a bargain, but you’re also helping to support our intellectually disabled beneficiaries.

Here you can literally shop the world happy! It doesn’t get much better than that.

CLAREMONT VILLAGE OF SHOPS
Where: Cnr Lee and Imam Haron, Claremont
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm;
Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm

FISH HOEK BOOKS AND BRIC-A-BRAC SHOP
Where: Shop no 4, Somerset House, 6 Recreation Road, Fish Hoek
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm;
Saturday 8:30am – 1:00pm

PRESS RELEASE 

Global Recycling Foundation        www.globalrecyclingfoundation.org

Global Recycling Foundation announces #RecyclingHeroes of Global Recycling Day 2022     

London, March 18, 2022

Immediate release – The Global Recycling Foundation today announces the 10 winners of their Recycling Heroes 2022 award marking Global Recycling Day 18th. March.

The winners of $ 1000 each are drawn from individuals and business leaders, sole traders, and multinationals who despite continuing hardships have managed to sustain their efforts to promote the value of recycling.

Ranjit Baxi, Founding President of the Global Recycling Foundation, said: “The world has been enduring exceptionally difficult times and we are delighted to have received so many remarkable entries from around the world.

“Indeed, to recognise the efforts made by a large number of start-ups despite two years of the Coronavirus pandemic, GRF has decided to make 4 additional awards of $250 each.”

The winners:

Schuler Rohstoff GmbH, Germany – Each year recycle about 280,000 tons of scrap –and are particularly proud that they can inspire so many women for our love of scrap. Half of the administrative staff are women empowering women and promoting their interest in the Recycling industry.

Una Mano per la Scuola, Italy – This committee made by parents of students from 6th to 14th years old (students of primary and secondary schools in Inveruno, Milan province, in Italy) is raising awareness on recycling & sustainability matters by organizing, with the support of the Municipality of Inveruno, for students to collect waste in the “Trash Challenge” for recycling as well as promoting planting of Trees by the students.

Vintz Plastic, Kenya – We are the leading plastic recycling company in Kenya recycling at least 25 tonnes of plastic waste per day. Our business model is unique because we promote circular manufacturing economy by making storage tanks and household items using the recycled plastics as the raw material. We place a strong emphasis of working with and training women in the process of collecting and sorting plastic.

Baby On The Move, New Zealand – An innovative effort to divert expired child restraints from going to landfill. Instead, together have created a stewardship solution of recycling car seat thereby reducing the waste which would otherwise be landfilled.

Ecocykle Limited, Nigeria – a youth-led social enterprise that promotes environmental sustainability, ecosystem restoration, the circular economy, and improved public health by providing effective waste management services to low-income communities who lack sustainable waste management options. Over the last two years, the company has overseen the training of more than 2000 young men and women on how to start their own waste recycling enterprises.

Oasis Association, South Africa – since 1952, the organisation has grown to support over 566 intellectually disabled beneficiaries. The organisations activities are all supported through the Recycling and thrift initiatives that fund 56% of Oasis annual income providing sustainable employment in recycling.

Brewster Bros, Scotland, UK – a family business centred on the principles of the circular economy turning CDE (concrete, demolition and excavating waste) into quality recycled products which can be sold back into the construction industries, diverting tons of waste from landfill and to create recycled product.

RecycleForce, Indiana, USA – is committed to reducing crime through employment and job training, while improving the environment through (WEE) waste electronics recycling. Since 2006, RecycleForce has safely recycled more than 65 million pounds of electronic waste while providing environmental job training to thousands.

Green Club of Lubanga Primary School, Zambia – Schoolchildren in the Green Club are promoting recycling by collecting waste drink bottles to make litter bins for keeping the school clean. One of the biggest environmental issues in schools is litter. The Green Club members collect used drink bottles littered around the school and community and use them for their Green and Clean school project.

Norwegian Refugee Council, Norway – Working in Bangladesh, to address the existing problem of plastic pollution in refugee camps, thus paving a way for more efficient solid waste management. NRC initiated Producing Shelter Materials from Recycled Plastic project in partnership with Field Ready to recycle the waste plastics produced by the Rohingya refugee community and surrounding host community people, to transform them into safe and sustainable shelter protection products

The four additional start-up award winners are:

Japheth Sunday, Nigeria – Japheth is reducing environmental pollution in the community with his JETSAR project by converting biowaste to electrical energy that powers the house including appliances, thus providing one answer to meet renewable energy needs in the country.

Precious Plastic, India – Precious Plastic is running a ragpicker co-operative. In this they buy plastic waste from ragpickers. This waste is recycled into plastic granules and sold to plastic product manufacturers. Profits from the sale of granules are distributed equally among the ragpickers helping the local economy.

Circular Shield, Slovenia – supporting sorted collection and recycling of used beverage cardboards, and creating a local, functioning model of circular economy as we return paper products made of regenerated cellulose.

Çelebi KALKAN, Turkey -. Celebi, a primary school teacher has been working on STEM education for sustainable development purposes since 2015. She believes in promoting educational awareness and sustainable development goals to support present and future generations who must be equipped not only with technical knowledge and skills, but also with a deeper understanding of the values needed to create a peaceful and sustainable future.

For further information contact Global Recycling Foundation team:

press@globalrecyclingfoundation.org

Ranjit Baxi +447860525159 www.globalrecyclingday.com

About the Global Recycling Foundation

The Global Recycling Foundation supports the promotion of recycling, and the recycling industry, across the world to showcase its vital role in preserving the future of the planet. It will promote Global Recycling Day as well as other educational programmes, awareness projects and innovation initiatives which focus on the sustainable and inclusive development of recycling.

Our shops are the heartbeat of our income and without stock we simply cannot support our beneficiaries.

We gratefully accept donated goods to be sold in our Oasis shops or online, especially:

• household goods
• clothes, hats and caps, shoes and handbags
• books
• bric-a-brac
• backpacks, tog bags and suitcases
• dishes and glassware
• collectibles
• jewellery
• furniture
• working electronics and electrical appliances
• toys and games
• cds, dvds and LPs
• camping, sports, gardening and outdoor equipment
• art

Our Claremont recycling services are open 

Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 3:30pm and Saturday, 8.30am – 1pm.

Here are some friendly reminders regarding recycling etiquette at Oasis:

• Please remember to package and drop off your waste in one container.
• Kindly pre-rinse all food containers such as cans, glass bottles etc. before delivery.
• Kindly refrain from leaving your recycling at Oasis, should we be closed.
• Please take careful note of items we cannot accept or recycle.

Our recycling services are limited which means we are not able to accept ALL recycling. We can only take glass, aluminium tins, all paper, cardboard, magazines and books. 

We can accept:

• All paper, including newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, junk mail, circulars, office scrap, envelopes and books. If the latter is in a good condition, please consider donating it to the bookstore.
• Brown/colour cardboard and cereal boxes
• All glass bottles and jars.
• Food cans (please make sure that cans have been washed)
• All cooldrink cans. (Aluminium only)

We cannot accept:

• No plastic, at all, of any sort. So, no clingwrap, no florist wrap or cellophane. No margarine tubs. None of those thin plastic packets, used for bread, milk or veggies. And no plastic or cellophane food trays, at all, whether used for meat, muffins, fruit or biscuits. No plastic laminated items.
• No lever arch files
• No egg boxes
• No wax-lined boxes. Including banana boxes, milk cartons, juice cartons or yoghurt boxes.
• No styrofoam products.
• No foil items.
• No broken glass
• No garden refuse, LED Batteries, medicine or light bulbs
• Disposable nappies, food scraps, PVC like JIVE cooldrink bottles, wet waste, chemical waste or medical waste.

Please pay particular attention to this list. 

We do apologise for the inconvenience this may cause. We understand these restraints are frustrating, however COVID-19 has made the recycling of the above-listed items impractical for the time being and we simply do not have the manpower to render a full service. We will keep you up-to-date, and advise the moment these restraints are removed. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support. 

Need to get in touch with us:
OASIS RECYCLING (DOMESTIC DROP-OFF/BUSINESS COLLECTIONS)
Recycling Manager – Beraldine Jagers
recycling@oasis.org.za
Cnr Lee Road and Imam Haron Claremont, 7708
021 671 2698

Dear Oasis family,

Your generosity for our food parcel campaign at the end of 2020 helped to care for, nourish, and encourage 350 of our beneficiaries’ households. We are all mindful of the challenges that millions of South Africans have experienced over the past 19 months.  Challenges that have been felt across the globe.  In trying to aid and do our part, Oasis has distributed hundreds upon hundreds of food parcels during this period to those who have found themselves unable to feed their families.  We have also provided social, emotional and health support.

Now in our 13th year of food parcels, this year we are aiming to give 400 beneficiaries with intellectual disabilities, the gift of food, nourishment, and care. One parcel costs approximately R600, and the aim, with your help, is to fill as many parcels as possible between now and Christmas closure. You don’t need to contribute an entire parcel, any amount or item is greatly appreciated.

Each parcel will hold nourishing, low-cost food, health and hygiene items, as well as a few treats.

 

Every rand, every tin of baked beans, or packet of rice donated helps us put together a food parcel. We hope that you will assist us in gifting our beneficiaries with intellectual disabilities and their families, by supporting our appeal and sharing this message with your family, friends, colleagues and neighborhood groups.

The details of how to give a tin, or packet of food, or to contribute cash towards filling parcels are below.

 

Thank you to all who can assist. I am also so aware that many who have helped in the past are not able to anymore because of the havoc wreaked by the pandemic.

You remain in our thoughts.

We all look forward to a time when things will be easier for all of us.

Kind regards Gail Bester Executive Director   |   021 671 2698

Food parcel list is here..

DROP OFF

For all food item donations, we have set up a collection point at the Recycling drop-off, in Claremont: Cnr Lee and Imam Haron Roads.

SNAPSCAN

CASH DONATIONS

Cash donations can be dropped off directly at our Claremont Oasis Book Store and Bric-a-Brac shop where the cashiers will ring up your donation under “food parcels”.

DIRECT DEPOSIT/EFT

Deposit directly into:

Account name: Oasis Association

Bank: First National Bank

Branch: Claremont

Acc no: 593 7179 7078

Branch code: 200 109

If you drop off cash or deposit money into our bank account, please stipulate FOOD PARCEL and give us your NAME and CONTACT DETAILS, so that we can issue you with a Section 18A tax receipt for your tax rebates.

EMAIL US Please email your deposit slip or EFT transaction download to donor@oasis.org.za