25 Profitable Small Business Ideas in South Africa

Across South Africa, more people are looking for ways to earn independently. Some want to replace a 9-to-5, others just need extra cash to make ends meet. Whatever your reason, there’s opportunity all around, in the suburbs, the townships and ofcourse, online.

Here are 25 small business ideas that make sense for 2025. They’re affordable to start, easy to manage and built around real needs in local communities.

Everyday services you can start

1. Mobile Car Wash

Dust, long drives, and city smog mean cars get dirty fast. A mobile car wash solves that without customers having to leave home.
You only need soap, buckets, and polish to start. Offer on-site washes at homes or office parks, then grow through referrals.
Accept payments on the spot with the iK Flyer Lite or iK Tap on Phone so customers can pay instantly.

2. Garden Maintenance

Garden services thrive in complexes and suburban areas. A single mower and trimmer can get you started. Keep clients loyal by being reliable and leaving every yard spotless.
As your client list grows, add landscaping or irrigation services.

3. Home Cleaning Services

Cleaning homes or offices is simple to start and in steady demand. Focus on quality and trust, clients stick with cleaners who pay attention to detail.
Add-on services like window or carpet cleaning help boost earnings.

For setup tips, see How to Run a Successful Business.

4. Handyman and Home Repairs

From fixing doors to repainting walls, small maintenance jobs are everywhere. If you’re skilled with tools, you’ll never run out of work.
Keep your tools tidy, quote clearly, and post before-and-after photos on social media to attract new clients.

Learn how to expand your trade in How to Grow a Small Electrical Business.

5. Laundry Pick-Up and Delivery

Many working families don’t have time for laundry. Offer to collect, wash, and return clothes neatly folded.
WhatsApp makes scheduling easy, and repeat customers can bring in steady income. Start with one washing machine and grow from there.

Read more about How to Start a Laundry Business

Food, Events and Lifestyle Businesses

6. Catering for Small Functions

Food brings people together and small-scale catering is one of the easiest ways to start earning.
Focus on reliable delivery, consistent taste, and friendly service. Once you’ve mastered small events, you can branch into corporate lunches or community gatherings.

7. Event Setup and Cleanup

From weddings to baby showers, every event needs setup and breakdown support. If you’re organised and strong on logistics, this niche can grow fast.
Partner with local venues or décor companies to stay busy year-round.

8. Catering Stall or Food Truck

South Africans love street food. A stall that serves kota, vetkoek, or coffee can earn well with consistent quality.
Start at local markets or taxi ranks and expand once you have loyal customers.

Thinking of scaling up? Read How to Start a Coffee Shop in South Africa.

9. Beauty and Grooming Services

Mobile beauty services, from haircuts to nails are in demand everywhere. Start from home, keep it clean and professional, and rely on word of mouth.

See How to Start a Salon or Spa Business in South Africa for setup guidance.

10. Tailoring and Alterations

Sewing skills are always useful. Altering or repairing clothes saves customers money and builds long-term trust.
Start with uniforms and casual wear, then expand to formal pieces once you’re established.

Community-based opportunities

11. Childcare and After-School Tutoring

If you’re good with kids, childcare or homework supervision can become a stable income source.
Parents value safety and reliability above all. Operate from home or near a school.

For setup guidance, see How to Register as a Sole Proprietor in South Africa.

12. Recycling and Collection Services

Schools, flats, and businesses often want recycling options but don’t have pickup services.
Collect paper, plastic, or cans and sell them to recycling depots. It’s small-scale, but it helps the planet and the community.

13. Cleaning Products Refill Station

Eco-friendly living is growing in popularity. Offer a refill stand for detergents and soaps to help people save money and reduce plastic waste.
All you need are bulk supplies, bottles, and a small setup at markets or parking lots.

14. Garden Produce and Seedlings

Selling small plants or herbs is a great entry point into local markets. Start by growing seedlings at home and selling them at weekend markets or online.
It’s low cost and ideal for anyone with a bit of space and patience.

15. Delivery and Errand Services

Help locals with grocery runs, pharmacy pickups, or small deliveries for local shops.
Start in your area with one car or scooter, and use WhatsApp to stay in touch with clients.

To scale properly, read How to Start a Delivery Business in South Africa.

Retail and product ideas

16. Market Stall or Pop-Up Shop

Markets across South Africa are buzzing with energy. From selling snacks and handmade goods to local art, people love buying homegrown products.
Keep your range small and your setup simple. With iK Tap on Phone or the iK Flyer Lite, you can accept card payments instantly and keep the sales flowing - no cables or complex setup needed.

17. Online Thrift Store

Thrift fashion is booming, especially on Yaga and Instagram.
Source second-hand clothing, take clear photos, and be honest about quality. Build your brand through good communication and clean packaging.

If you want to go bigger, follow How to Get Your Business Online.

18. Homemade Crafts and Products

From handmade candles to natural skincare, South Africans love supporting local creators. If you enjoy crafting, this can easily grow from a side hustle into a small business. Start by selling through social media, markets, or WhatsApp groups, keep your branding simple and your quality consistent.

Read more in Home-Based Business Ideas in South Africa.

19. Printing, Branding & Signage

Small businesses always need branded materials - flyers, menus, T-shirts.
If you can design or coordinate printing, this niche can grow quickly.

For online visibility, read How to Market Your Business Online.

20. Stationery & School Supply Packs

Bundle stationery by grade and sell before the school term starts. Parents love convenience, and bulk buying keeps your margins healthy.
Build relationships with schools for repeat orders each term.

Digital and Skill-Based Hustles

21. Photography and Videography

Visual content is everywhere. You can start off with birthdays, portraits and business shoots.
You can build a portfolio using free editing tools and grow through word of mouth.

22. Fitness or Wellness Classes

Outdoor workouts are popular in parks and community spaces.
If you’re passionate about health, host small group sessions. Keep the vibe friendly and community-focused.

23. Online Tutoring or Digital Classes

Help learners with subjects like maths, English, or accounting via Zoom or WhatsApp. Parents value tutors who communicate clearly and show results.

For more remote earning ideas, see How to Make Money Online in South Africa.

24. Freelance Content Creation

If you can write, edit, or manage social media, offer your skills to local brands.
You can start with maybe a few posts or a blog and expand into full content packages. Find clients by applying the lessons in How to Market Your Business Online.

25. Social Media Management

Small businesses struggle to stay consistent online so you try to offer to plan, post and respond on their behalf.
Charge monthly retainers and manage a few clients at once.

Learn more in How to Market Your Business on Social Media.

A small business in South Africa doesn’t always need big capital or experience. It truly can start with something simple like a service people need or a skill you already have or a problem you can solve better than anyone else. So, keep it consistent, build trust and use the right tools to manage your money and payments.