The South African Booksellers Association (SABA) is preceded by the Associated Booksellers of Southern Africa (ABSA), which was in existence for 55 years from 1942 to 1997, working actively in the interests of the book trade.

In 1997 the executive explored the possibility of restructuring the Association and taking into account the newly created provinces. After a series of meetings, and workshops, ABSA was disbanded and the newly elected and fully representative South African Booksellers Association was created. The new association's executive is made up of the chairpersons of all nine provinces and the heads of the four interest groups, namely Educational, Academic, Library and General Interest Groups.

Through SABA all booksellers in South Africa present a united front. The association strives to conduct the book trade in an orderly and dignified manner, where the publishers act as wholesalers and the booksellers are the retailers. Constant liaison, which SABA facilitates, between the different sectors of the industry and provinces, helps to ensure that the trade is maintained at a free and healthy level. Every opportunity is taken to promote and encourage ethical trading policies at all levels.

The South African Book Association represents the retail book industry in South Africa. It strives to assist its members by:

1. Considering, co-ordinating and promoting the interests of booksellers and the trade as a whole.
2. Liaising with the Education Authorities to ensure that the methods of supply serve the interests of the Authorities, booksellers and the students.
3. Keeping them informed and improving co-operation and the communication among them.
4. Promoting the interests of learners and small businesses to develop a vibrant retail book trade.
5. Bringing booksellers from around the country together annually to discuss matters of general interest.
6. Collecting statistics and doing research for the benefit of members
7. Working with the Publishers' Association to encourage healthy trade relations which recognise the respective roles of the publishers as creators and wholesale distributors, and booksellers
   as the retailers of books