27 Kasi Business Ideas for Emerging Entrepreneurs

The Kasi was once a visual representation of the forced segregation that plagued South Africa. Although the racial demographic (almost entirely non-whites) still remains, it has now become a community of opportunity, filled with entrepreneurial business prospects and economic growth potential.

This has created the opportunity for Kasi locals to drive their own economic activity, keeping the money circulating within, in an effort to grow the local economy.

Of course, external funds still make their way into the Kasi in the form of tourism and the like. As such, we’ve decided to show you how you can also become a Kasi business success story.

But first... what is a Kasi?

The term "Kasi" is South African township slang for "location" or "township", historically underdeveloped, primarily black urban settlements created under apartheid. Today, however, the Kasi is more than just a place. It’s a culture, a community and a growing economic frontier, bursting with creative energy and untapped potential.

So, if you’ve ever thought about starting your own business, this list of kasi business ideas is where it all begins:

1. Airbnb

Kasi tourism is on the rise. Register on Airbnb and make your home a safe, comfortable place for visitors to rest after exploring the neighbourhood.

Tip: when you host, spend the night with family or friends and split the profits.

2. Shuttle Service or Tour Operator

Be the friendly face that welcomes tourists. Offer a shuttle service in and around your Kasi, pickups from the city, local tours, and safe returns.

Accept card payments on the go with the compact, tap-ready iK Flyer Lite.

3. Local Booking Agent

Help tourists and locals alike by connecting them to accommodation, events, restaurants and transport services. Be the plug that makes visiting the Kasi stress-free.

Create easy, hassle-free payment links with the iKhokha app, even without a website.

4. Shopping Tourism

Create and sell traditional African attire or handcrafted memorabilia. Set up at local markets, shopping centres, or partner with local restaurants and lodges to reach tourists looking for authentic Kasi goods.

5. Catering Services

From weddings to funerals and everything in between, you can be the go-to cook in the community. Bonus: tourists love sampling traditional Kasi cuisine.

6. Food Market Stall

Unlike catering, this puts you right in front of the foot traffic. Cook it, serve it, and build your own following or create a shared food market space for other Kasi chefs (and charge a fee).

Speed things up during lunch rush with the iK Flyer, our fast, full-screen card machine made for high-traffic traders.

7. Bakery

Everyone loves the smell of freshly baked goods. Add your own spin to South African favourites like magwinya and koeksisters and watch the queues form.

8. Babysitting or Nanny Agency

After-school care is a real need. Babysit local kids or create an agency that hires responsible Matric scholars and students to do the job.

9. Event Photography

Capture Kasi life and sell your photos to tourists or lifestyle publications. Offer packages for birthdays, weddings, or create a photowalk experience for visitors.

10. Pet Care Services

Pet ownership is growing in the Kasi. Offer pet-sitting, grooming, or training. You can also travel to urban areas for extra business.

11. Towing Services

If you’ve ever helped push a broken-down car down the street, this one's for you. Charge a fee to safely get people to petrol stations or mechanics.

12. Storage Units

Got space? Build storage enclosures in your yard or unused properties and rent them out. Many people just need a safe space for their things.

13. Moving Service

People are always on the move, whether it’s across the street or back from the city. Help them transport their furniture and household goods safely.

14. Delivery Service

Petrol costs less in short distances. Offer delivery of food, parcels, or groceries within the Kasi or deliver to the city and charge those big-city prices.

No cash? No problem. Accept card or send a mobile payment link using the iKhokha app.

15. Laundry Service

Fewer washing machines mean more laundry needs. Offer this time-saving convenience to your neighbours, it’ll be hard to say no.

16. Vertical Gardens & Lawn Care

Beautify your Kasi with wall gardens and lawn services. Whether it's oxygen-producing greenery or neat flower beds, bring nature back into the township.

17. Car Wash

The all-time Kasi favourite. All you need is a good location, water, and great service. Clean someone’s car so well they don’t recognise it.

18. Interior Home Decoration

Got a creative eye? Offer interior styling services for homes that are being upgraded or newly built in the Kasi.

19. Tailoring & Shoe Repairs

With lots of walking and limited transport, wear and tear is real. Fix, alter, and even design custom outfits for locals and tourists alike.

20. Online Services

With the right skills, you can work from home. Become a virtual assistant, offer online tutoring, graphic design, content writing, whatever matches your talents.

21. Internet Cafe

Help bridge the digital divide. Open a space with reliable internet and computers for locals to do work, print documents, or study online.

22. Freelance Fitness Instructor

Love fitness? Offer personal training to neighbours, go door-to-door, hold open-air workouts, or organise community fun runs.

23. Recreational Centre

Give the youth something to look forward to. Build a hub that includes sports, music, dance, or even theatre. Fun + impact = community empowerment.

24. Beauty Centre

Everyone wants to look and feel good. Offer hair, nails, skincare, or even massage services. One fresh cut at a time, you could transform the Kasi.

25. Bulk Buying & Reselling

Buy in bulk, sell at a profit. Or trade unused goods for items of value. Smart reselling is one of the easiest ways to get into business with low risk.

26. Recycling

Turn trash into cash. Collect recyclable items and sell them to local recycling depots. You help the planet and your pocket.

27. Rent Out Business Tools

Got unused tools or equipment? Rent them out. Better cash in your pocket than rust on your assets.

Track payments and issue receipts from your phone using iKhokha’s simple tools for service-based businesses.

Kasi Business Ideas: More Than Just a Side Hustle

Each of these kasi business ideas isn’t just a way to make money, it’s a chance to uplift your community, create jobs, and keep value circulating where it belongs.

Whether you’re inspired to start small or go big, remember: the real power lies in starting. These ideas are rooted in what the Kasi already has creativity, resilience, culture, and hustle. All that’s missing now is you.

Start Smart. Trade Smart.

Building your Kasi business is one thing. Running it efficiently is another.

Whether you're just getting started or already operating, iKhokha gives you the tools to grow:

iK Flyer Lite: Perfect for mobile businesses. Portable, durable, and wireless.
iK Flyer: Built for speed. Ideal for high-volume Kasi businesses like salons, car washes, and food stalls.
Payment Links: Accept payments remotely, anytime, anywhere—no card machine needed.
Affordable Card Machine Rates: Because starting a business shouldn’t break the bank.