Last Updated: 2026 | Reading Time: 11 minutes
Written by Macdonald “Macdee” Hlalele — Founder of ApplyOnlineSA, BCom Marketing Management (UNISA), self-taught entrepreneur who built a business while studying, and community mentor to young South Africans building financial independence.
Being a student in South Africa is expensive. Tuition. Textbooks. Transport. Food. Accommodation. And for most students — NSFAS does not cover everything, family support is limited, and part-time jobs are scarce.
A side hustle is the answer.
A side hustle is not just about making extra money — it is about building skills, developing discipline, and creating opportunities that could outlast your student years. I built my entire business while learning, growing, and navigating exactly the kinds of challenges you face. This guide is the starting point I wish I had.
What Makes a Good Student Side Hustle?
The best side hustles for students have these qualities:
- Flexible hours — Work around your lecture schedule and study time
- Low startup cost — Start with little or no money
- Scalable — Can grow as your capacity grows
- Skill-building — Develops abilities that will help your career
- Location-flexible — Work from campus, home, or anywhere
The Best Side Hustles for South African Students
1. Tutoring
Why it works: You are already studying — your knowledge has value to students below you.
What you can tutor:
- Matric learners in your strong subjects
- First-year university students in subjects you have already passed
- English tutoring to non-English speakers
Where to find students:
- Post flyers on campus and at local schools
- Join Facebook groups for matric learners
- Register on Superprof (superprof.co.za)
- Word of mouth in your residence or community
How much can you earn: R100 to R300 per hour depending on subject and level
2. Freelance Writing and Content Creation
Why it works: If you can write well — which studying demands — businesses will pay you for it.
What you can write:
- Blog posts and website articles
- Social media captions
- Academic proofreading and editing for other students
- Product descriptions for online stores
Where to find clients:
- Upwork (upwork.com)
- Fiverr (fiverr.com)
- Local Facebook business groups
How much can you earn: R200 to R1,500 per article depending on length and client
3. Social Media Management
Why it works: You already use social media daily. Small businesses need someone who understands it — and many business owners are too busy to manage their own accounts.
What you can offer:
- Create and schedule posts
- Respond to comments and messages
- Grow followers organically
- Design graphics using free tools like Canva
Where to find clients:
- Approach local businesses in person
- Facebook business groups
How much can you earn: R500 to R3,000 per month per client
4. Campus Delivery Service
Why it works: Students on large campuses are always hungry and often too busy to go out. A delivery service solving this problem can thrive.
What to deliver:
- Food from nearby restaurants or food vendors
- Grocery items from local shops
- Printing and stationery from the campus print shop
How to market: Campus WhatsApp groups, Instagram, posters in residences
How much can you earn: R50 to R150 per delivery, multiple deliveries per day
5. Printing and Stationery Services
Why it works: Students constantly need printing, binding, and stationery — especially around assignment deadlines and exams.
What you need: Access to a printer (or partnership with a print shop)
Services to offer:
- Printing and binding of assignments and notes
- Laminating
- Selling stationery on campus
- CV and certificate printing
How much can you earn: Depends on volume — this can become a very consistent income around exam periods
6. Photography and Videography
Why it works: Smartphones have democratised photography — if you have an eye for it and even a decent phone, you can sell photography services.
What you can photograph:
- Student portraits and headshots for LinkedIn and CVs
- Campus events
- Matric farewell and graduation ceremonies
- Small business product photography
How much can you earn: R300 to R2,000 per session depending on experience and equipment
7. Reselling
Why it works: Buy low, sell high. Simple in concept, profitable in practice.
What to resell:
- Clothing from thrift stores, revamped and resold at a profit
- Electronics and gadgets bought cheaply and resold on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace
- Snacks and refreshments in student residences
- Airtime and data at a small markup
Where to sell: Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, campus WhatsApp groups, in person
How much can you earn: Depends on volume and margins — but consistent effort can yield R1,000 to R5,000 per month
8. Virtual Assistant Services
Why it works: Professionals and small business owners need admin support — and many prefer to outsource it remotely.
What you can offer:
- Email management
- Appointment scheduling
- Data entry
- Online research
- Document formatting
Where to find clients:
- Upwork
- Fiverr
How much can you earn: R80 to R200 per hour
9. Graphic Design
Why it works: Every business needs visual content — logos, flyers, social media graphics, presentations. If you have design skills, this is highly marketable.
Tools to use:
- Canva (free and beginner-friendly)
- Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop (industry standard)
What to design:
- Logos for small businesses
- Event flyers
- Social media templates
- Business cards
Where to find clients:
- Fiverr
- Local businesses
- Campus organisations and student societies
How much can you earn: R200 to R3,000 per project depending on scope
10. Handmade Products and Crafts
Why it works: There is a growing market for handmade, unique, locally-made products in South Africa.
What to make and sell:
- Candles and soaps
- Jewellery and accessories
- Customised gifts and clothing
- Baked goods (if allowed in your residence)
Where to sell:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Instagram shop
- WhatsApp catalogue
- Local markets and pop-up shops
How much can you earn: Highly variable — but with the right product and marketing, R2,000 to R10,000 per month is achievable.
11. Uber Eats / Mr D Food Delivery
Why it works: If you have a bicycle, motorbike, or car, you can earn on your own schedule.
Requirements:
- Valid South African ID
- A bicycle, motorbike, or car
- Smartphone
- For motorbike/car: valid driver’s licence
Where to sign up:
- Uber Eats: uber.com/za/en/deliver
- Mr D: mrd.co.za/driver
How much can you earn: R100 to R300 per day depending on hours worked and deliveries completed
12. Sell Notes and Study Materials
Why it works: Students pay for well-organised, comprehensive notes — especially for difficult modules.
What to sell:
- Summarised notes for popular modules
- Past papers with worked solutions
- Study guides for specific qualifications
Where to sell:
- Stuvia (stuvia.com) — International platform for selling study materials
- Campus Facebook groups
- WhatsApp groups for your module
How much can you earn: R50 to R200 per set of notes, passive income once created
Managing Your Side Hustle as a Student
Keep Your Studies First
Your degree or diploma is your primary qualification. Never let your side hustle compromise your academic performance — the whole point is to support your studies, not undermine them.
Separate Your Money
Open a separate account or use a separate savings envelope for your side hustle income. Track what comes in and goes out.
Register When You Are Ready
If your side hustle starts generating consistent income, consider registering a small business with CIPC for R175. It adds credibility and opens doors to business banking.
Declare Your Income to SARS
Any income you earn — including from a side hustle — must be declared to SARS if it exceeds the tax threshold. Keep records of your earnings and expenses.
Side Hustle Scam Warning ⚠️
Students are heavily targeted by side hustle scams:
- “Earn R5,000 per day liking photos on Instagram” — scam
- Network marketing schemes requiring upfront product purchases
- Online “investment” platforms promising extraordinary returns
- WhatsApp jobs requiring registration fees
If it sounds too good to be true — it always is.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Side Hustles
Can I run a side hustle while receiving NSFAS?
NSFAS does not prohibit recipients from earning income. However, if your income becomes substantial, be aware of the means test implications for future NSFAS applications.
Do I need to register a business for my side hustle?
Not immediately. You can start informally. Once your income becomes consistent and you want to open a business bank account or access funding, register with CIPC.
What is the best side hustle for a student with no money to start?
Services-based side hustles — tutoring, writing, social media management, and virtual assistance — require zero startup capital. Your knowledge and time are the only investment needed.
Need Help Setting Up Your Side Hustle?
At ApplyOnlineSA we offer digital services consultations — from setting up your freelance profiles to building your first client base.
Book a Consultation with Macdee → | WhatsApp Us →
ApplyOnlineSA is an independent information platform. Side hustle information is for guidance purposes only.
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