There was a time when a side hustle was simply a nice-to-have — a little extra gravy on top of a regular salary. But in today’s South African economy, sideline income has become almost essential for covering basic living costs.
The numbers tell the story
The scale of the shift is striking. According to the 2025 Old Mutual Savings & Investment Monitor (OMSIM), 57% of employed South Africans now have more than one source of income. Among young people aged 18 to 29, that figure jumps to 75%. Other surveys paint a similar picture: the JustMoney Money & Me survey found that 36% of respondents have a side hustle, while an infoQuest survey reported that 42% of consumers are taking on extra work to improve their cashflow.
The 1Life Insurance Generational Wealth Survey puts the figure even higher at 55%. And it’s not just a young person’s game — side hustles now span all age groups, with 41% of over-50s now having a side income. Nearly 9.5 million South Africans now earn through the informal economy.
From beach gowns to room rentals
Just take a walk through any Saturday morning market and you’ll see the creativity on display: people selling handmade beach hooded towelling ponchos, homemade jams, knitted jerseys, and all sorts of items crafted from home. Others with coastal properties are renting out every available room. Estate agents who might have retired years ago are still selling well into their late 70s.
This isn’t about luxury — it’s about survival. With the cost of food, petrol, electricity, insurance, and health insurance all rising, good-paying jobs are increasingly scarce.
How to find your side hustle
The common wisdom about starting a side hustle is simple: figure out what you enjoy doing, find a product or service you can offer, and then find paying customers. It may take some trial and error before you hit on something worthwhile — but once you do, you’ll be able to supplement your earnings. For some, it even means giving up their day job and going full-time.
Popular side hustles include buying and selling items online, food and beverage businesses, and gig economy work like ride-hailing — with 70% of gig workers using it as a secondary income source.
The reality is clear: in this economy, waiting for a single salary to cover everything is no longer enough. But with resourcefulness, creativity, and a bit of persistence, South Africans are finding ways to not just survive — but to build something more.
