Starting your own business is a rewarding way to make a living doing something you love. If you’re looking for small business ideas in South Africa, you’re in the right place!
In this article we will explore 15 small business ideas tailored for beginner Mzansi entrepreneurs (just like you) with big dreams of finding ways to make money in South Africa.
Each business idea has been selected for its profitability and growth potential in the South African market. As we say in isiZulu, Asambe! (Let’s Go!)
15 Ways To Make Money in South Africa
1. Car Wash Business
As kasi business ideas go, owning a car wash at a busy township intersection can be a very profitable venture. Find an area with high visibility and some open space to park the cars, and you’re on your way. You can begin with a basic setup, such as a manual wash – or even a waterless car wash. Then scale up as you gain customers.
On average, you might need an initial investment of around ZAR 50,000 to ZAR 200,000, depending on your setup – and you can expect to net R20K per month. To learn more, check out our guide on How to Buy a Car Wash in South Africa.
2. Spaza Shop
Sticking with "kasi" (township) flava, businesses like spaza shops (tuck shops) or food stalls are popular and profitable cash-in-hand businesses in South Africa. “Spaza” comes from the isiZulu word meaning “hidden”, and they get their name from the dark days of Apartheid when historically disadvantaged people of colour were not allowed to own formal businesses — so they did so “hidden” or on the downlow.
If you want to know how to make money in South Africa, just look at all the foot traffic between taxi ranks and train stations as South Africans make their work day hustle each and every day. The right spaza shop will typically have low startup costs (money buying stock and security bars if you’re operating out of a container, garage, or bedroom window). Just take our word for it: don’t keep your spaza shop too “hidden”. A bright paint job to let commuters know that you’re catering to their on-the-go needs, and pretty soon you’ll be enjoying full community support!
3. Mobile Hairdressing and Beauty Services
Cut, blow dry, tint, braid, weave! Africans love to look after their hair and in terms of finding ways to make money in South Africa, this one is faya! Especially suited for women and those looking to juggle their careers with looking after the family, becoming a cosmetologist (a person who gives beauty treatments) and building your own beauty business brand on your terms is definitely the way to go.
You can get a professional hair salon kit for under R3000 to get you started. You can visit clients at their homes or offices, charging R200 to R800 per service depending on the treatment.
4. Driving School
All of these budding entrepreneurs are going to need to learn how to drive and so starting a driving school, especially in urban areas, is one of the most profitable businesses to start in South Africa. The initial costs include a vehicle, insurance, and marketing, which could total around R150K.
Depending on your location and clientele, you can charge R250 per lesson. Just think of all the students wanting to pass their drivers, or new Uber drivers that need to learn the rules of the road. In a country like ours where everyone is always on the move, this idea has got wheels! To understand more about this venture, check out our guide on How to Run a Driving School in South Africa.
5. Mobile Car Repair Services
Keeping it all things auto, if you have mechanical skills, consider offering mobile car repair services. This business requires basic tools and a vehicle, with initial costs ranging from R30K to R100K, depending on your niche.
For example, an aircon regassing unit will set you back R36K, but by charging R600 per regas, you can pay this back with your first 60 customers. From oil changes to alignment checks, a mobile car repair service is convenient for customers and can build a strong local clientele quickly. Now that’s shap shap!
6. Online Tutoring
As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” With the rise of remote learning, online tutoring is a growing market. You can teach subjects like mathematics, languages, or even niche skills like coding. All you need is a computer, a reliable internet connection, and knowledge of a particular subject. On average, tutors can charge between R150 to R500 per hour.
7. Virtual Assistant Services
Becoming a virtual assistant is a low-cost business idea that only requires a computer and internet access. You can support businesses with administrative tasks, social media management, and more. Hourly rates vary between R100 to R300, depending on the services offered. Start by finding a job on a job site platform that will expose you to new ways to make money in South Africa – even if your boss is perhaps somewhere else in the world!
8. Social Media Management
With the rise of digital marketing, managing social media for businesses is in high demand. If you’re young and have a TikTok account, then this one’s for you! This business also requires minimal startup costs – a computer, internet connection, and some basic social media skills.
On average, social media managers can charge from R5K to R20K depending on the client's size and needs. Read more about leveraging this opportunity in our article on How to Harness Social Media for Your Small Business.
9. Dropshipping Business
Dropshipping allows you to sell products online without holding any inventory. With just a website and a supplier, you can start a business with minimal initial investment. Focus on finding a niche market and build a strong online presence. The dropshipping industry in South Africa is growing, with projected revenues increasing by 20% annually. Get started with insights from Top 10 Ecommerce Businesses to Invest in 2024 - South Africa.
10. Photography and Videography Services
If you have a passion for photography or videography, turning it into a business can be rewarding. All you really need is a smart phone with a decent camera to get you started. Instagram is a great place to start if you’re looking for inspirational videos on how to shoot products and people using exciting angles and DIY solutions. You only need a smartphone and your imagination. Photographers and videographers can charge anywhere from R500 to R3000 per hour, depending on experience and specialization.
11. Event Planning and Coordination
Do you have strong organizational skills and a creative flair? This is one of many small business ideas in South Africa that is gaining a lot of traction, as South Africans like to spend big on their weddings, 21sts, and corporate events. What can we say? We love to party!
This is a business you can start from home with minimal overheads, focusing on small events like parties within your network, then scaling up to weddings and larger gatherings. Event planners typically earn between R5K and R20K per event, depending on the size and complexity.
12. Catering Business
If you have a knack for cooking, a catering business is, perhaps, the most profitable business in South Africa that you can start from the comfort of your own kitchen. The average initial cost to kit out your kitchen is around ZAR50K to R150K, with potential earnings varying greatly based on the scale of events you plan on catering for. Our advice is to start small, build a brand and reputation making what you love, and grow too big for your kitchen from there!
13. Butchery Business
If you have a passion for food but don’t want to bring your work home with you, then opening a butchery might be the right business for you. Shisa nyama (barbecuing meat) is a hugely popular tradition in all South African cultures – no matter the language.
A successful butchery can expect a gross profit margin of around 30%. This venture requires initial costs like renting premises, purchasing equipment, and sourcing high-quality meat, totaling around R100K to R500K. Read more about starting this exciting business in our article How to Run a Butchery in South Africa.
14. Landscaping and Gardening Services
South Africans love a well-cut lawn to braai on. We just don’t always have the time to mow it ourselves. Offering landscaping and gardening services can be profitable, especially in suburban areas. The startup costs include basic gardening tools and transport, usually amounting to about R15K, excluding your own bakkie (transport) and staffing costs. Depending on the complexity of the job, you can charge around R2K per home. Offering a cheaper monthly retainer is your next smart move as you grow your client list in one particular area.
15. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
Pet services are in demand in South Africa's urban centres, where humans love their pets but have to handle a dual income work hustle. With minimal initial costs, mainly for marketing and transportation, you can earn anywhere from R100 to R300 per hour, just so long as you get dogs that get on with each other to go to the park together! This is an ideal part-time business that can grow with demand.
Conclusion
We have other ideas too: starting a laundry or cleaning service, personal training, or making your own crafts and products at home that you can sell online. We’re sure you probably have some idea of your own in mind too. Small business ideas in South Africa can turn into big money-making opportunities that align with what you enjoy doing anyway. So back yourself and get out there, it’s the South African way. We hope that we’ve inspired you to go out there and start something of your own.
FAQs
What business can I start with R1000 in South Africa?
For under R1000, you can start a small mobile car wash service with basic cleaning supplies (buckets, soap, microfibre cloths, etc.). With a low investment, you can offer to wash cars in your local neighborhood or office complexes. This idea scales well with minimal additional costs.
Which small business is most profitable in South Africa?
Spaza shops (small convenience stores) are consistently profitable due to their low startup costs, high foot traffic in townships and urban areas, and cash-based transactions.
