Being a student in South Africa isn’t easy—tuition, transport, food, and data costs add up fast. The good news? You can make money on the side while gaining experience through a part-time job.
Whether you’re in university, college, or studying online, here’s a list of the best part-time jobs for students in South Africa that are flexible, legit, and student-friendly.
🧑🏫 1. Tutor (Online or In-Person)
- Earning Potential: R80 – R250/hour
- Best For: Students good at maths, science, English, accounting, etc.
- Where to apply: Teach Me 2, Superprof
✅ Great way to use your academic skills and earn by helping others.
💻 2. Freelance Writer or Content Creator
- Earning Potential: R300 – R2,000 per article
- Best For: Students who enjoy writing blogs, web content, or social media posts
- Where to find gigs: Fiverr, Upwork, local agencies
📝 You can write from anywhere — just need WiFi and your brain!
📦 3. Retail Assistant (Weekends or Holidays)
- Earning Potential: R25 – R50/hour
- Best For: Outgoing students who don’t mind being on their feet
- Where to apply: Check malls, stores like Woolworths, Mr Price, Clicks, Pick n Pay
🛍️ Popular around festive seasons and weekends — plus you get customer service experience.
🧑💻 4. Remote Virtual Assistant
- Earning Potential: R70 – R150/hour
- Best For: Organised students with admin or typing skills
- Tasks: Email replies, scheduling, data entry
- Where to start: PeoplePerHour, LinkedIn
📅 Work with small businesses or online entrepreneurs.
☕ 5. Barista / Waiter
- Earning Potential: R25 – R60/hour + tips
- Best For: Friendly students who enjoy fast-paced work
- Apply at: Local cafes, restaurants, coffee shops (Nando’s, Mugg & Bean, Wimpy)
💡 Good for weekends and evening shifts.
📸 6. Social Media Manager (Freelance)
- Earning Potential: R500 – R3,000 per client/month
- Best For: Students who understand Instagram, TikTok, Facebook
- Clients: Local businesses, startups, influencers
📱 Use your social media knowledge to make money for others.
🎓 7. Campus Brand Ambassador
- Earning Potential: R1,000 – R4,000 per campaign
- Best For: Outgoing, social students
- Brands: Red Bull, Spotify, Microsoft, MTN, student banks
🚀 Get paid to promote brands at your university — and build your network.
💰 8. Survey Taker / Online Tasks
- Earning Potential: R50 – R200/day
- Sites: Toluna, Ysense, Sweatcoin
- Best For: Students with free time online
📊 It won’t make you rich, but it can cover airtime or lunch money.
🎮 9. Gaming / Streaming Content Creator
- Earning Potential: Varies — R500+ with donations or brand deals
- Best For: Students who love gaming, tech, or vlogging
- Platforms: YouTube, Twitch, TikTok
🎥 Turn your passion into content — and maybe go viral!
📦 10. Delivery Driver / Scooter Rider
- Earning Potential: R80 – R150 per delivery
- Best For: Students with a scooter, car, or bike
- Apps: Mr D, Uber Eats, Bolt Food
📦 Flexible hours + tips = decent part-time income.
🎨 11. Graphic Designer (Freelance)
- Earning Potential: R300 – R5,000 per project
- Best For: Students who use Canva, Photoshop, or Illustrator
- Where to get clients: Instagram, Fiverr, Behance
🖌️ Design logos, flyers, CVs, or social media templates.
🎧 12. Transcriber or Captioner
- Earning Potential: R50 – R200/hour of audio
- Best For: Good listeners who type fast
- Sites: GoTranscript, Rev
⌨️ You listen to audio and type what you hear — simple and remote.
🛍️ 13. Online Seller (Side Hustle)
- What to Sell: Clothes, phone covers, thrift finds, accessories
- Where: Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, Yaga
- Skills Needed: Marketing, basic design, and delivery logistics
💡 Low start-up cost and flexible — just need hustle.
🏠 14. House Sitter / Pet Sitter
- Earning Potential: R100 – R300/day
- Best For: Trusted students in safe neighbourhoods
- Apps: Pawshake, local Facebook groups
🐕 Low effort, quiet, and sometimes comes with free food!
🧽 15. Part-Time Cleaner / Helper
- Earning Potential: R100 – R300/day
- Best For: Students with time on weekends
- Find work: Gumtree, trusted local families, student job boards
🧼 You can even team up with friends and turn it into a mini business.
🔑 Tips for Finding a Part-Time Job
- ✅ Use platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and PNet
- ✅ Always be honest about your availability
- ✅ Create a student CV (you can find a free template on GoIntern)
- ✅ Be careful of scams—never pay to apply for a job
💼 Final Word: Work Smart, Not Just Hard
Part-time jobs aren’t just about cash—they’re about building your work ethic, your CV, and your network. Whether it’s retail, tutoring, freelancing, or delivering food, there’s something out there for every South African student.
👉 Keep an eye on GoIntern.co.za for more career tips, internship listings, and CV tools to help you succeed!
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