here are offline ways to make money in South Africa starting with nothing 1. Street Vending. What: Sell snacks, sweets, fruit, or cold drinks at busy places (taxi ranks, schools, town centers). How to start with nothing: Partner with a spaza or buy stock on credit from a wholesaler (some allow it if you’re trusted), or start with R50 worth of stock and reinvest profits. 2. Car Washing Where: Outside shops, homes, or even mobile in your neighborhood. Tools: Bucket, soap, sponge — borrow to get started. Tip: Offer door-to-door service for convenience. 3. Grass Cutting / Gardening Tools: Borrow or share a lawnmower, garden tools. Clients: Neighbors, complexes, churches, small businesses. Tip: Offer to do a small section as a free demo. 4. Handywork / House Maintenance Skills needed: Painting, fixing broken items, small plumbing/electric work. No tools? Partner with someone who has tools, you bring the labor. 5. Recycling for Cash Collect: Cans, bottles, scrap metal, cardboard. Where to sell: Local scrapyards, recycling centers (e.g., Collect-a-Can, Mpact). Tip: Use a trolley or backpack to carry items. 6. Babysitting or Elderly Care What: Offer care services for working parents or families. Where to advertise: Word of mouth, flyers in your area, church, clinics. 7. Laundry & Ironing Services How: Offer laundry pick-up and ironing from your community. Equipment: Use your home washing machine or do handwashing if needed. 8. Food Prepping / Cooking Sell: Vetkoek, kota, amagwinya, chicken feet, pap & vleis. Start small: Cook from home and sell at lunch time in your area. No equipment? Borrow pots, use wood fire or paraffin stove. 9. Manual Labor (Day Jobs) What: Offloading trucks, helping at construction sites, moving furniture. Where: Wait at known pick-up spots in your area or ask local businesses directly. 10. Create and Sell Handmade Goods What: Bracelets, beaded items, small crafts, sewn products. Start with nothing: Use scrap fabric, recycled beads, or natural materials.