How to Make Money Online in South Africa (2025)
By MoneyToday Team • Nov 20, 2024 • 7 min read
The digital economy has exploded in South Africa. You no longer need to emigrate to earn dollars, pounds, or euros. With a laptop and a stable internet connection, you can build a side hustle or a full-time career right from your living room.
However, the internet is also full of scams. In this guide, we filter out the noise and focus on legitimate, proven ways South Africans are actually making money online today.
1. International Freelancing
This is the most reliable way to earn foreign currency. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr connect you with clients in the US and Europe who are looking for skills like writing, graphic design, virtual assistance, and coding.
Why it works for South Africans:
- Time Zone: We are only 1-2 hours ahead of the UK/Europe, making real-time collaboration easy.
- Cost Arbitrage: Earning $20/hour is an entry-level rate in the US, but R360/hour is a fantastic rate in SA.
- English Proficiency: South Africans are native English speakers, which is highly valued.
2. Teaching English Online (TEFL)
If you are a native English speaker, you can get paid to chat with students in Asia or South America. While the "golden age" of high pay has settled, it remains a solid income stream.
Requirements
- • 120-hour TEFL Certificate (cost ~R300 on Groupon)
- • Neutral Accent
- • Stable Fibre Internet
- • Bachelor's Degree (preferred by some, not all)
Where to Apply
- • Cambly: Chat-based, lower pay but easy entry.
- • Preply: Set your own rates, find your own students.
- • Native Camp: Good for beginners.
3. Selling Goods (Re-commerce)
You don't need to import goods from China to start selling. The "second-hand economy" in SA is booming.
- YagaPerfect for selling pre-loved clothes. They handle the payments and shipping integration (via Pargo/PostNet), protecting you from scammers who send fake proof of payments.
- Takealot SellerMore advanced. You send stock to Takealot's warehouse, and they handle delivery. Great for scalability but fees can be high.
4. Content Creation (YouTube & TikTok)
The South African creator economy is growing rapidly. It's not just for dancers; educational channels, farming vlogs, and local travel guides are earning real income.
YouTube Partner Program (SA)
You need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.
TikTok & Reels
Harder to monetize directly via views in SA, but excellent for brand deals.
The Boring (But Important) Tax Stuff
Many people forget this: SARS taxes all income, whether it comes from a local boss or a US website.
1. Provisional Taxpayer: If you earn income outside of a standard salary (like freelancing), you are likely a provisional taxpayer. You must file returns twice a year (August and February).
2. Forex Rules: When you bring dollars into SA, you have 30 days to convert them to Rands or explain why you are holding them.
SCAM ALERT: Avoid These
South Africans are targeted by specific types of online scams. If you see these, run away:
- "WhatsApp Investment Groups": Strangers promising to double your money in 24 hours.
- "Typing Jobs" requiring a fee: Never pay a "registration fee" to get a job. Real jobs pay you.
- Copy-Paste Ad Systems: These are usually pyramid schemes disguised as marketing work.
How to Get Paid in SA
Earning Dollars is great, but getting them into your FNB or Capitec account can be tricky. Here are the standard tools:
The standard. You must link it to an FNB profile (even if you bank elsewhere) to withdraw to ZAR.
Often better fees than PayPal. Provides you with a virtual US bank account.
Best exchange rates. Great for receiving direct bank transfers from overseas clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a qualification to freelance?
No. Clients care about your portfolio. If you can show examples of your writing, design, or code, that matters more than a degree.
Is there an age limit?
Most platforms (Upwork, PayPal) require you to be 18 to sign legal agreements. If you are younger, you might need a parent's help to manage payments.
How much money can I really make?
It varies wildly. A beginner copywriter might make R5,000/month part-time. An experienced software developer can easily make R60,000+ working remotely.