In South Africa, the phrase “I’ll make a plan” is more than a saying – it’s an economic strategy. According to Old Mutual research¹, 57% of South Africans now rely on multiple income streams, reflecting the growth of side hustles and informal work. Millions of people are not waiting for opportunities to arrive. They are creating them.
Across suburbs, townships and small towns, everyday skills are quietly becoming income streams. Someone who used to fix neighbours’ appliances after hours now runs a small repair business. A university student designs logos between lectures. A retired teacher tutors maths learners online.
It’s the reality of South Africa’s growing gig and micro-entrepreneur economy – practical, resilient and often built from necessity.
For many people, particularly young graduates and school-leavers, formal employment can take years to secure. In the meantime, many are turning skills into side hustles that gradually become real businesses.
According to data, only 10–15% of young jobseekers remain sustainably employed, with many moving between temporary work and short-term income opportunities. Essentially, the informal economy provides around 20% of earning opportunities for youth and has grown significantly over the past decade².
This shift is exactly what South African platform Uptooyoo is designed to support. The locally developed app and web platform allows people to list their services, promote their work and connect directly with clients looking for help – from home repairs and hair styling to tutoring, digital design and admin support.
The idea is simple: if you have a skill, you should be able to turn it into income.
“We often hear that people must ‘create their own opportunities’, but the reality is that many skilled South Africans don’t have the visibility or networks to find paying clients,” says Courtney Wilson, Business Development Manager at Uptooyoo. “Our goal is to make it easier for someone to turn a skill into a small business that can grow.”
Unlike social media groups or word-of-mouth referrals, platforms like Uptooyoo help service providers build a professional presence and reach customers outside their immediate circles.
For many small entrepreneurs, that shift can make the difference between a once-off side job and a steady stream of work.
As the future of work continues to change globally, South Africans are showing that resilience and creativity remain two of the country’s strongest economic assets. From fixing cars and cutting hair to building websites and teaching languages, the country’s next generation of businesses may not begin in office towers – but in garages, spare bedrooms and WhatsApp groups.
Platforms that help connect those skills with real customers could play a key role in turning everyday hustle into sustainable livelihoods.
References:
¹ – Old Mutual Savings & Investment Monitor (OMSIM) 2024 survey – https://www.oldmutual.co.za/savingsmonitor/
² Harambee Quarterly Reports –https://www.harambee.co.za/young-people-want-to-work-not-wait/ https://www.harambee.co.za/breaking-barriers-feb-2024/