South Africa is a nation of more than 60 million people––almost a third of which is “working age”. And it’s easy to understand why. The country’s already robust economy grew slightly at the beginning of 2023––which is not bad considering it is estimated to eclipse Nigeria as Africa’s largest overall economic presence in 2024. With such positivity hitting just about every industry, and an impressive cost of living rate that is comparable to many European nations, there has never been a better time to find a flexible weekend job to supplement one’s income.
If you live in South Africa and you’re looking to take up a weekend job––that is, not a full-time job, and maybe something a little less flexible than a part-time opportunity––there are plenty of financial reasons to do so. But also, other benefits align with a greater work-life balance and increased workweek flexibility. For whatever your reasons, this article includes the best types of weekend jobs, from all types of industries and skillsets, that you can find in South Africa right now.
The Top 20 Weekend Jobs Available Right Now in South Africa
1. Warehouse Assistant
Scope of work: With the manufacturing boon continuing to thrive in South Africa, warehouse work is one of the easiest and most popular positions for weekend job seekers. From handling fulfillment requests for major retailers to engineering firms; from commercial agencies to automotive facilities, warehouses throughout the country need talented and reliable assistants to facilitate the efficiency of operations. And if you’ve got a Saturday and Sunday free, you can expect some quick and easy cash.
Salary range: R $26 – $32 per hour
Skills required: Communication, teamwork, observation
2. Personal Assistant (Part-time)
Scope of work: Many high-ranking business professionals, financiers, politicians, and even celebrities in South Africa require the help of a personal assistant on the weekends (many have a weekday assistant and a weekend for managing personal and event arrangements). If you are highly organized and have plenty of charm, you can easily expect to interview for a role working for someone else.
Salary range: R $32 – $45 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, negotiation, observation
3. Restaurant Server
Scope of work: Sourcing a serving job in one of South Africa’s many restaurants is a quick and easiest task for those with a free weekend. These types of hospitality roles often come with paid training, flexible hours, and the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills by interacting with interesting people––all while earning a decent wage + tips by taking orders and bringing food to the table.
Salary range: R $22 – $30 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, observation, social
4. Call Center Agent
Scope of work: These types of telecom-based professions are in high demand in South Africa since users are always reaching out for information about a product or service. These roles are perfect for a weekend jobseeker with plenty of flexibility and good conversation skills––all you need is a script, a telephone, and a few hours free on your Saturday or Sunday.
Salary range: R $28 – $33 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, negotiation
5. Website Tester
Scope of work: A mostly remote job, working as a website tester in South Africa allows for great flexibility and competitive pay. While no formal training is required, testers can take on as many assignments as they can handle––perfect for a weekend! All that is typically expected is a strong internet connection, an updated web browser, and a reliable computer. The rest is mostly self-explanatory.
Salary range: R $21 – $29 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, observation, creative
6. Customer Service Representative
Scope of work: South Africa is full of businesses with customer service departments that require skilled professionals to man the desks during the hectic weekend hours. These kinds of jobs need talented people who can manage the overflow of incoming telecommunication questions and give back exceptional customer assistance. If you are willing to work weekends, companies will often provide training and a competitive wage.
Salary range: R $29 – $37 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, sales, negotiation
7. Content Writer
Scope of work: Got a flair for writing content for websites, small businesses, ad agencies, and so on…?
Content writer gigs are readily available throughout South Africa, especially online where these types of businesses recruit talented wordsmiths, give them a short writing test and, if you’ve got the goods, you can begin claiming article assignments for clients.
Salary range: R $32 – $41 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, creative
8. Food Delivery Driver
Scope of work: Always a popular position, food delivery drivers are surging in popularity everywhere. There are many apps in South Africa that connect restaurants with customers to help facilitate ordering––and these apps need reliable drivers or delivery people to get the orders to the customer’s door. If you own your own vehicle (or even if you don’t: many platforms let you deliver by scooter, bicycle, or by foot) and have some weekend time to spare, you can supplement your income with some quick cash plus tips.
Salary range: R $18 – $22 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, observation, social
9. Switchboard Operator
Scope of work: Many businesses with customer service desks and departments need the communication skills of a switchboard operator. Luckily, these roles are popular in South Africa and can easily be performed on weekends with minimal experience.
Salary range: R $21 – $30 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, sales, negotiation
10. Healthcare Assistant
Scope of work: Healthcare is a critical industry in Africa––one that requires an extensive amount of time, training, and patience. There is never a shortage of jobs for healthcare professionals, even on the weekends. If you are trained and can spare some time to assist at hospitals or clinics, then you should be able to find work within just about any area of the country.
Salary range: R $41 – $56 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, medical, observation
11. Tutor
Scope of work: Much like healthcare, the education industry is essential for the future of South Africa. As such, a knowledgeable tutor with weekends free can expect to find a rewarding part-time job helping nurture young minds.
Salary range: R $36 – $46 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, negotiation, observation
12. Travel Consultant
Scope of work: A popular destination for local and international tourism, South Africa has plenty to showcase. And this is where a weekend travel consultant can make a killing. These roles typically involve assisting clients in making travel arrangements (for business and holiday), sourcing the best pricing and accommodations, not to mention sightseeing and recreation opportunities.
Salary range: R $24 – $36 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, sales, negotiation
13. Retail Sales Associate
Scope of work: There are many retail locations throughout South Africa, selling apparel, housewares, groceries, and everything in between. These businesses need sales associates to assist on the counters––especially during the busy weekend crowds.
Salary range: R $26 – $34 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, negotiation, observation
14. Makeup Artist
Scope of work: The cosmetology industry in South Africa is booming, thanks in part to the many events and cultural celebrations that take place every weekend. This is where talented beauticians can connect with performers or everyday residents to have their makeup done. The better the portfolio, and the more flexible the schedule, the more likely you are to make significant money and great contacts in the industry.
Salary range: R $28 – $37 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, cosmetology
15. Translator
Scope of work: Given the number of native and international languages spoken in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and everywhere in between, translators who specialize in English and Afrikaans, are in high demand with companies looking to solve communication barriers associated with foreign investments and purchasing.
Salary range: R $41 – $58 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, observation, language, teamwork
16. Bookkeeper
Scope of work: With a surge in small business growth throughout South Africa, companies are always on the lookout for part-time bookkeepers to help manage their finances and sales figures. If you have a keen eye for detailing and good head for numbers, there is no shortage of opportunities for weekenders with a flexible schedule.
Salary range: R $33 – $42 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, negotiation, observation, finance/mathematics
17. Receptionist
Scope of work: These types of customer service-based roles are important to many businesses that deal with the public––from healthcare to automotive to finance to creative marketing and commerce––you name it, chances are a company in South Africa is looking for a qualified receptionist to work the demanding weekend shift answering phones, booking appointments and receiving guests.
Salary range: R $26 – $32 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, negotiation, observation
18. Transcriptionist
Scope of work: An industry that is growing in popularity worldwide, transcriptionists are particularly in high demand in South Africa thanks to the many businesses (many of which ask for no experience) that require written transcriptions of audio/visual sources. If you are really adept at typing and can work seamlessly over the weekends, you’re sure to find a gig that suits your skills and schedule.
Salary range: R $25 – $36 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, observation
19. Bartender
Scope of work: Bartenders in South Africa, like in many other parts of the world, can easily find work within one of the hundreds of restaurants throughout the country. If you’ve got a natural flair for slinging suds and crafting cocktails, and boast a flexible schedule, you can definitely earn good pay while interacting with interesting folks of all kinds.
Salary range: R $16 – $25 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, observation, social
20. Brand Ambassador
Scope of work: Brand ambassadors are in high demand in South Africa thanks to businesses looking to connect their products and services with younger audiences––especially those on social media.
This type of weekend gig is a great way to use communication and interpersonal skills to promote brands while earning good pay with minimal experience
Salary range: R $28 – $39 per hour
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork, negotiation
There you have it! The top 20 weekend jobs available in South Africa right now. Whichever industry you choose to pursue, there are plenty of flexible and rewarding positions available for South Africans looking to supplement their income with a casual Saturday or Sunday gig. Now that you have a solid understanding of the types of weekend roles available, including salary and skills required, you should have everything you need to start your search.
