25 Easy Ways To Make Extra Money In Cape Town [2024]

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Updated: August 31st, 2022

Are you looking to make easy money or start a business in Cape Town?

With a population of 4.6 Million people, Cape Town is one of the largest cities in South Africa. Located in the Southwestern part of the Western Cape Province, Cape Town ranks as one of the second-largest contributors to national employment.

With the City's strategic location, large population, and working population, Cape Town is the best city to start a business in South Africa.

What is the average cost of living and income in Cape Town anyway?

Cost of living: $904 per month for a single person, $2,131 for a family of four
Average income: $14,800 per year

Considering this, it makes sense if you want to make some extra money.

This post provides you with 25 side hustle ideas and ways to make money in Cape Town.

Here they are:

1. Become An Online Afrikaans Tutor

If you speak Afrikaans fluently and you love the idea of online teaching, then you are lucky! You can use your knowledge to make some extra income as an online Afrikaans teacher.

Foreign startup owners, contractors, and even tourists coming to South Africa would love speaking to locals in their original language. Many of them are searching for where to learn Afrikaans online.

Therefore, teaching Afrikaans online is a great side hustle to start.

Earning Potential: Up to $40/hour

Requirements: A laptop with a webcam, an Internet connection, and a Web conferencing platform are required.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started

To get started, sign up on an existing online tutoring platform like FirstTutors

2. Start A Laundromat

A laundry business is another profitable side hustle to start. As the city's working population increases, people are getting busier and working longer hours. Therefore, the demand for laundry services is increasing by the day.

You may choose to start a Laundromat with a "pick and drop" alternative, targeting the bustling working population who barely have time to come to you.

Earning Potential: $14/hour

Requirements: You'll need a laundromat setup consisting of washers and dryers, a coin machine or card machine, laundry carts, detergent vending machines, and door hangers. Fliers are optional but can help spread the word about your new business. Plus, a car & a driving license if you are offering the pick & drop services yourself.

Investment needed: The cost to open an average-sized laundromat can range from $200,000 to $500,000. Commercial-grade washers and dryers can cost $2,000 each. Yes, this may seem like a super costly business to start but the yearly revenue you would generate from this can be between $15,000 and $300,000.

How To Get Started:

Choose a strategic location, and apply for the relevant business permits from the national and local authority offices.

3. Become A Food Truck Chef

Do you take interest in cooking? Have you got some cooking skills up your sleeve? Then you can start working as a chef at a food truck. As a food truck chef, you will be responsible for prepping and cooking the food, managing the kitchen, delivering orders, and ensuring the food quality & taste is up to the mark.

Earning Potential: Up to $19/hour

Requirements: No educational qualification is required. Having a culinary degree can be useful, but even without any professional degree, you can work at a food truck. You must possess great cooking skills, should be able to work in a confined space, be quick, maintain hygiene, be organized, and should be able to keep your head cool amidst chaos and deliver quality food.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started:

Apply for food truck chef jobs here.

4. Become A Landscape Artist

The lawn care business is an excellent choice for those passionate about gardening or landscaping. To work as a landscape artist you will need a good working knowledge of lawn maintenance and garden design to attract customers and earn a reasonable income. You'll also be operating a variety of equipment, including lawn mowers, tractors, leaf blowers, and hedge trimmers. You might as well need to install sprinkler systems and special outdoor lighting.

Earning Potential: Up to $36/hour

Requirements: No minimum education is required, but having experience as a landscaper will be helpful for you. Other than that you must be responsible, hardworking, punctual, creative, and able to handle multiple landscaping equipment. Having a car and a driver's license will allow you to drive across the town and build an extensive client base.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started:

You may work under the supervision of a seasoned landscaper to get started. This way, you can gain some hands-on experience and knowledge of gardening. Once you have acquired the skills, you can begin your own landscaping company or start working as a freelance landscaping artist. You can look for landscape artist or landscape design jobs on Indeed or Upwork.

5. Collecting And Selling Memorabilia

Another unique way to earn extra money is by selling memorabilia. This entails collecting valuables like autographs, signed and unsigned photos, football helmets, baseball cards, old comic books, coins, and any precious artifact you may stumble across in the market. Plus, if you live in a culturally rich city then you can sell small touristy items or artifacts that reflect the characteristics of that city.

Memorabilia can sell well online, at local auctions, or even at tourist shops and catch good money.

Earning Potential: From $200 Per Item if it's a unique or vintage item

Requirements: Knowledge of where to find different items, and have a keen eye for unique & interesting items. You'll need to set up an online or an offline store to sell the products. Plus, you would need to possess excellent marketing skills.

Investment needed: Some initial investment is required for buying the items, setting up a store, and advertising.

How To Get Started:

Create a website, be present on all social media platforms and market your products. Attend local events, festivals, fairs, and gatherings. Come up with catchy descriptions for each Item and arrange how to ship the consignments to your customers.

6. Rent Out Your Extra Space

You can rent out spare space in your home for some extra cash, like an extra room, or your garage.

You can offer your property to someone looking for accommodation or storage space and make some decent income from it each month.

Earning Potential: Up to $300/month

Requirements: You will need an extra room that's in a good condition with all the basic facilities.

Investment needed: $0 investment if the room is in good shape.

How To Get Started: Visit websites like Neighbor and list yourself as a Neighbor host. For more info click on this link.

7. Become A Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography can be a great side hustle idea if you love taking pictures in extraordinary situations. Apart from the money, being part of an important event and capturing all the memories can be fulfilling in itself.

However, wedding photography also comes with a huge responsibility. Therefore, you have to unleash your creativity and expand your skillset to keep growing side hustle.

Earning Potential: $50-$100/hour

Requirements: You'll need tools to take high-quality photographs, including a camera, a wide-angle lens, memory cards and batteries, a tripod, and a light setup. Having previous experience or a certificate in photography is not a must but they can definitely increase your credibility.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed if you already have the camera lens, and other necessary tools.

How To Get Started:

Wondering how to start a successful wedding photography business? Getting a mentor who can offer one-on-one coaching can be a great way to learn the nitty-gritty of this business. Also, watch online tutorials on how to become a successful wedding photographer. Then, invest in the proper professional gear, and market your business.

You can also start applying for wedding photography jobs right away by clicking here.

8. Become A Fashion Designer

Do you have a knack for fashion design? If so, designing and selling unique fashion items can be a great way to earn extra revenue. If you want to, you can turn it into a full-time career. The good thing about working as a fashion designer is you can either work for an apparel company or you can sell your own creations on Etsy as well as on your website.

Earning Potential: Up to $44/hour

Requirements: You need all the necessary tools for designing, cutting, and sewing your clothes such as a tape measure, scissors, tailor's chalk, dressmaker dummy, sewing machine, needles, and so on. If you have done a bachelor's degree in fashion design or fashion merchandising then you will have a head start in your career as a fashion designer.

Investment needed: An initial investment is required to buy the tools, materials, and build a website & market the products

How To Get Started:

Identify the gap in the market, start designing, choose a brand name, price the creations, and sell online or to a local clothing manufacturer.

9. Become An Online Fitness Coach

If you are passionate about fitness & bodybuilding, you could turn it into a great side hustle alongside your full-time job. The good thing about being a fitness trainer is that you do not need a huge capital to start. Make content for your online training course, that increases your credibility and use technology to your advantage.

To start an online fitness coaching as a side hustle, you can follow these ideas:

Create a digital fitness course and nutrition plan
Start an on-demand workout membership
Get sponsored for posting on social media while labeling a health or fitness product

Earning Potential: Up to $28/hour

Requirements: To become a fitness coach online, you must have a smartphone, laptop, or computer, and a good internet connection.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started:

Decide which special fitness coaching you want to provide, choose the target audience, take the exam and get certified, and market your side hustle. You can apply for jobs as an online fitness coach here

10. Become A Restaurant Accountant

Some hotels, restaurants, or bar owners like to hire accountants to help them with the bookkeeping tasks. Your job as an accountant would involve reporting every transaction, maintaining a general ledger, keeping track of the expenses, preparing financial statements, as well as filing tax returns.

If you have a background in accounting or have previously worked as an accountant at some firm, you can approach your local restaurant or bar owners and pitch your services to them. The advantage of taking the job as a side hustle is choosing a flexible work schedule and retaining your current job.

Earning Potential: Up to $35/hour

Requirements: Knowledge of accounting and tax rules in your current region, a laptop or computer, tax-prep software, and other accounting gear.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started:

Here you can apply for restaurant accountant jobs or you can also approach local pubs, cafes, or restaurant with your resume.

11. Start A Food Delivery Service

With the rising demand for food delivery options, starting a food delivery business can make a great side hustle. You can start your own delivery service in Cape Town by partnering with your local cafes, restaurants, or pubs, or you can also join an established food delivery service in your city and deliver for them. Most food delivery companies will provide higher commissions if you move higher volumes.

Therefore, with food delivery being your side hustle, you can earn a good income, work as per your time, and be independent.

Earning Potential: $5-$20/hour

Requirements: No educational qualification is necessary, but having a high school degree can be of help. You must be 18 or above, and having a car or motorbike with a valid driver's license, and a mobile with an internet connection is required. Also, having previous experience working as a delivery guy will make you more eligible, plus good communication skills and friendly behavior are important in any customer service job.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started

Find a food delivery service available in your city, obtain whatever documents they require, and work on establishing a strong delivery network.

12. Sell Your Arts & Crafts

If you're looking for a creative way to make some extra money, why not sell your arts and crafts? Making and selling crafts is a great side hustle to earn extra cash. Crafts business will cost less to start as you can use locally available materials to create unique art pieces.

There are different crafts you can make. Examples include necklaces, pottery, mats, headbands, flower vases, velvet pillows, palette clocks, and lace bowls.

Earning Potential: Around $12-$20/hour (labor costs depending on the kind of products you are selling)

Requirements: You will need to be creative, and be able to create unique products that people will be interested to buy. Having done a course in jewelry making, or handmade craft items can be useful for you in opening an art & craft business.

Investment needed: It will depend on the kind of art & craft items you want to sell.

How To Get Started: To get started with selling your arts and crafts, you'll need to first find a place to sell them. There are a number of places that sell arts and crafts in the city, including craft shows, art galleries, as well as online marketplaces. Start by doing some research to find the best option for you. Once you've found a place to sell your work, start crafting and marketing your products.

13. Sell Self-Guided Audio Tour

Audio guides are basically recorded spoken commentary to a visitor attraction, such as a museum. Audio guides can also be available for self-guided tours of outdoor locations, or as part of an organized tour. VoiceMap is an app that lets you record what you are seeing right now and share it with other users. You can sell a self-guided tour via the application. Just like selling tours online, you can make extra money by recording an audio tour while you are on a vacation.

You can record what you are seeing right now and share it with other users via VoiceMap. The idea is to sell a hiking tour via the application. Just like selling tours online, you can make extra money while on your hiking vacation.

Earning Potential: $4.99 per audio tour copy

Requirements: You will need to have a smartphone and have to install the VoiceMap App

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started:

All you need is to record the VoiceMap tours and sell them to foreigners coming to the spot. Just be sure to use a convincing tone that encourages others to experience the magic of the place.

14. Take Online Surveys

Although these aren't the favorite side hustle of almost everyone, they are convenient and easy ways to do so. While you can doze off when watching a movie, why not click some buttons and do some work to make the money you want?

Several survey sites allow you to get paid while you share your opinion. You can fill in your opinions for endless surveys and earn extra bucks for filling up the survey forms. Some platforms even offer a bonus for completing the first five rounds of the survey.

Potential: If you’re smart, you can earn up to $10 per survey!

Benefit: You can do these surveys anywhere, anytime, and however you’d like!

How To Get Started: You can start filling out surveys at Inboxdollars, Survey Junkie and many more.

15. Drive For Uber Or Lyft

If you've got a car and time on a Saturday, you could be making some cash driving people around. Instead of wasting your time sitting through traffic when you sign off from work, you can drive an Uber or Lyft and earn some extra cash in Cape Town by the time you reach home!

Ridesharing apps are one of the most lucrative ways to make extra cash. Not just because of the flexible schedule, but the revenue you generate!

Earning Potential: Up to $26/hour

Requirements: Meet the minimum age to drive in your city, have at least one year of driving experience, and clear a background check. See all requirements

Investment needed: $0 upfront if you already have a car!

How To Get Started: Apply to be a driver at Uber here, or Lyft driver here.

Don't have a car? Rent a car for ridesharing or deliveries with HyreCar.

16. Buy And Sell Second Hand Electronics

Buying and selling pre-owned electronics is a booming business. The increasing demand for second-hand electronics is the rising cost of living. Therefore, a lot of the middle-class & lower-income class people prefer purchasing pre-owned electronics.

You can source used electronics from countries like Japan, China, the USA, and the UK, ship them to the city you are in, and sell them at a good profit. The refurbished electronics are available on Amazon and other online platforms as well.

Earning Potential: You could make up to $1,500 per month or more by selling a used electronic. It will depend on the product, its condition, shipping cost, and your profit margin.

Requirements: You need to have knowledge about electronic items, be able to identify electronic goods that can bring good profit, knowledge about the market price, and the current demand for specific electronic products in the market.

Investment needed: It will depend upon the goods you purchase and in which quantity.

How To Get Started:

To get started, identify the gap in the market, look for a supplier, and place an order. Target the middle class and lower class audience, and market your electronics to them.

17. Offer Pet-Sitting Services

If you love pets then pet sitting can be a rewarding & fulfilling business choice for you. Pet sitters provide daily care to pets while their owners are away. They often stay in the homes of the pet owners so that the pets can remain in familiar territory. In addition to caring for pets, they may also provide basic services for the owners, such as collecting mail and vacuuming pet hair.

Pet-sitting services are a popular way to make money in Cape Town because they can be easily started and there is a lot of demand for them. For most people interested in offering their services, all they need is some basic equipment and a well-written ad. They can also offer additional services like walking pets or grooming them.

Earning Potential: Up to $17/hour

Requirements: A high school diploma or GED, a proven track record as a pet sitter, familiarity with animal behavior, and excellent organizational skills are required for this position.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started: To start a pet-sitting business, create an online presence by setting up a profile on a pet-sitting website such as Rover or Care.com, and network with friends and family members who may know people looking for sitters. You can also put up flyers in your neighborhood or post about your services on social media.

18. Start Dropshipping Online

Another easy way to make extra money irrespective of your location is to start a dropshipping business. You can set up an online store & start earning money with minimal effort.

All you need to do is select the items you want to sell, add them to your online store & start selling. The supplier is responsible for packing & shipping the product directly to your customer. All you need to do is market.

Earning Potential: Depending on your skills and effort, you can make up to $100,000/year

Benefits: You will be your own boss, gain entrepreneurial skills & operate the store from anywhere in the world

Requirements: You will need to have a business license to sell at a dropshipping store.

Investment Needed: You will need as low as $100 to start a dropshipping business.

How to Get Started: You can start by setting up a free online storefront via Wix or Weebly

Learn how Amanda makes $12k per month dropshipping these tiny products.

19. Sell Your Stuff Online

If you're looking for one of the easiest ways to make quick money in Cape Town, then it's by selling your things. Whether it's through eBay or Craigslist, sell off the things you don't need anymore and watch that dough stack up!

Potential: Depends on the items you sell

Benefits: Make extra cash while getting rid of things you don't need anymore, free up space in your house.

How to get started: You can start by setting up accounts on eBay and listing the items you want to sell.

Learn how Adam makes $10K/month selling sports cards on eBay.

20. Become A Sports Coach

You've been a champion athlete for years. From a young age, you played your sport with great passion and excitement. You've achieved many titles, from state to national competitions. You had a fulfilling career filled with adrenaline rushes and lots of excitement. But now you're retired, and it can be challenging to keep enjoying your passion after retirement.

One of the best ways to continue playing your sport even after you retire is to start coaching as a side hustle. You can open your own sports club or apply at schools, colleges, or private institutions to work as a sports coach.

Earning Potential: Up to $24/hour

Requirements: To apply as a sports coach you must have years of experience and a winning record at a college or university to qualify for the position of a professional coach. Coaches who do not have coaching experience may still be hired at the professional level if they were successful as an athlete in their sport.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started:

You can open your own sporting club and leverage your networks to find sponsorship. Or you can contact your local schools, colleges, universities, or athletics clubs to offer sports coaching.

You can also apply from here for the job as a sports coach.

21. Become A Mobile Car Detailer

As car ownership is becoming more of a necessity and less of a luxury, starting a side hustle related to the automotive industry can be a profitable business choice in Cape Town. If you are passionate about cars and looking to earn some extra money, then starting a mobile car detailing business can be a great choice for you.

The car detailing business is a little different from car washing as you'll be offering a thorough cleaning of the vehicle inside and out. As a car detailer, you'll be responsible for -

Hand washing and drying
Interior cleaning and vacuuming
Exterior polishing and waxing (we use only premium products)
Leather cleaning and conditioning
Door jambs cleaned out (to remove dirt and grime)
Windows cleaned inside and out

Earning Potential: Up to $20/hour

Requirements: Requirements for the job include the ability to work independently, a valid driver's license, transportation to and from customers, and cleaning tools & supplies

Investment needed: $0 investment needed if you already have a car or van to take you to your client's.

How To Get Started:

Do good research and find the neighborhoods with the highest number of vehicles. You can also ask your family, friends, and acquaintances to help you build an initial clientele. Or, you can apply here for the job as a mobile car detailer.

22. Become A House Cleaner

House cleaning is a good side hustle for those who looking to earn extra money in Cape Town. You can offer an on-demand house cleaning service over the weekend or during the holidays. The house cleaning side hustle is super scalable and does not require huge capital. Besides, it is easy to advertise and get referrals from past customers.

Earning Potential: Up to $19/hour

Requirements: No educational qualification is mandatory but a high school diploma or GED is preferred. Having a proven experience in house cleaning and knowledge of cleaning supplies and techniques can help you land a job faster. You must also be able to follow instructions, stand for long periods of time, and adapt to changing schedules. Plus, being disciplined & having good communication skills can prove t be good for you.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started:

You can apply for house cleaner jobs on Indeed, or Glassdoor. Also, you can contact your local cleaning services and offer your services.

23. Start A Toddler & Baby Care Center From Home

Childcare is expensive and can be a bit overwhelming for busy moms. Are you a stay-at-home mom looking for ways to make extra income?

You can earn a substantial monthly profit if you can care for and entertain little ones. You will get to set your hourly rate and even decide how many kids to incorporate. Not only will you make a decent income, but you will also build playdates for your kids. Besides, you will have minimal running costs and huge profits.

Earning Potential: Up to $12/hour

Requirements: You'll need a spacious room for the kids to play, toys, and mattresses. Also, you'll need to come up with activities to keep the toddlers busy and distracted. You'll also need to apply for a business license.

Investment needed: The startup costs for a toddler and baby care center can range from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on whether you plan to open a home-based or separate facility.

How To Get Started:

Let your neighbor, family, and friends know that you are going to start a toddler and baby care center. Also, you can apply for the required licenses, and ensure you have a perfect physical space where children can play. Determine the hourly rate and advertise your business.

24. Become A Childrens Party Planner

Do you love organizing parties and like to take charge whenever there's a party happening at your or your friend's place? Then you can start a side hustle as a children's party planner as this is quite a in demand these days. As the children's party planner, you will be responsible for planning the theme, providing costumes (unless your guests arrive wearing their own), selecting entertainment (arranging for magic shows or hiring clowns), decorating, providing food & favors, and coordinating clean-up after the party so parents can enjoy their child's birthday worry-free.

Earning Potential: $50 to over $150 on an average depending on the size of the party.

Requirements: You'll need to have good interpersonal skills, be organized, and be able to understand the customer's taste and provide ideas accordingly. Also should be able to manage a team to ensure a smooth operation. Having prior experience as an event planner would help in getting clients.

Investment needed: $0 investment needed

How To Get Started:

You can start offering services to your local surroundings and your personal circle. Send brochures to moms and dads in your area and ask your family, friends, and relatives to help you get the words out. Once you start getting clients asked them for referrals and feedback on social platforms.

Not looking for extra income, but rather a better job? Find a new job in Cape Town:

Resources:

meet the author

Samantha Walls

I'm Sam Walls, COO of Starter Story - a platform and community for entrepreneurs and future founders to learn what it takes to build a great business. I joined the Starter Story team approximately 3 years ago, with the goal of providing our readers with the best, most valuable, and inspirational content on the internet.

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