The freelance market in South Africa has become increasingly competitive due to the rise in unemployment and layoffs. This has led to more professionals seeking freelance opportunities as a career gap filler or simply as means of survival. To stand out in this competitive landscape, South African freelancers need to be innovative in their gig search and explore a wider range of options.
Here is a List of Places To Find Freelance Gigs.
Remote.co specializes in remote work opportunities, which means the jobs you find there won’t be tied to a specific location.
Ideal for Freelancers: Remote.co offers both full-time and part-time positions, making it a great option for freelancers seeking flexible work arrangements.
Gigs Available: Explore a wide range of remote work opportunities in various fields:
* Software Development
* Marketing & Design
* Business & Customer Support
* Legal Assistance
* Project Management
* (and more)
Payout Method: The specific payout method will depend on the individual company you’re working with. Remote.co itself doesn’t handle payments.
Depending on your skillset, Upwork is another platform that is lucrative for securing freelance work as a South African Freelancer.
Gigs Available: Upwork offers a vast pool of freelance projects across various categories:
* Programming & Development
* Marketing & Sales
* Writing & Editing
* Design & Creative
* Accounting & Bookkeeping
* (and other roles)
Important: Research and find work tailored to your specific skills and experience to maximize your success on Upwork.
Payout Method: Upwork offers a variety of secure payment options, including:
* Direct to Local Bank Transfer (availability may vary)
* Payoneer
* PayPal
* Digital Banks like WISE
Their website has detailed information on payout methods and fees.
Depending on your skillset, Fiverr is a fantastic platform for South African freelancers seeking project-based work.
Gigs Available: Fiverr specializes in fixed-price gigs, often starting at $5. You’ll find a wide range of creative and technical services, including:
* Graphic design (logos, social media graphics)
* Content writing (blog posts, website copy)
* Video editing and animation
* Social media marketing
* Translation
Payout Method: Fiverr offers a secure payment system where funds are held in escrow until the client approves the work. Payment options include:
* PayPal
* Payoneer
* Bank transfer (availability may vary based on location)
Similar to Upwork, Freelancer.com offers a diverse range of freelance projects for South Africans.
Gigs Available: Explore a vast pool of projects across various categories:
* Web development and design
* Writing and editing
* Marketing and sales
* Data entry and administrative support
* Customer service
Payout Method: Freelancer.com provides several withdrawal options for South African freelancers:
* Payoneer
* Skrill
* Bank transfer (availability may vary based on location)
Note: Freelancer.com charges a service fee on projects, so be sure to factor that into your pricing strategy.
5. People Per Hour
PeoplePerHour is a UK-based platform with a strong global presence, offering project-based and hourly freelance work.
Gigs Available: Explore a variety of freelance services, including:
* Programming and development
* Design and multimedia
* Writing and translation
* Business and finance
* Marketing and sales
Payout Method: PeoplePerHour offers secure payment options with various withdrawal methods:
* PayPal
* Payoneer
* Bank transfer (availability may vary based on location)
Consider: While PeoplePerHour has a global user base, some projects might require specific time zone availability.
FreelanceMap is a unique platform specifically focused on connecting South African freelancers with local opportunities.
Gigs Available: Find project-based and ongoing freelance work across various industries, including:
* Marketing and advertising
* Business and finance
* Design and development
* Writing and editing
* IT and software
Payout Method: FreelanceMap primarily facilitates connections between freelancers and clients. The payment method will depend on the agreement between you and the client.
Pro Tip: Explore FreelanceMap’s community features to network with other South African freelancers and find potential clients.
FreelanceSouthAfrica.co.za is a dedicated online platform connecting South African freelancers with local and international clients.
Ideal for: Freelancers seeking a South Africa-focused platform with a range of opportunities.
Gigs Available: Explore a variety of freelance positions across various industries:
* Marketing & Advertising
* Design & Development
* Writing & Editing
* IT & Software
* Business & Finance
* (and more)
Payout Method: The specific payout method will depend on the agreement between you and the client. FreelanceSouthAfrica itself doesn’t handle payments.
Pro Tip: Utilize FreelanceSouthAfrica’s job board and community features to connect with potential clients and other South African freela
8. JobVine
JobVine is a popular South African job board with a dedicated section for freelance work.
Ideal for: Freelancers seeking a wide range of freelance opportunities alongside traditional job postings.
Gigs Available: JobVine offers a diverse range of freelance projects in various categories:
* Marketing & Communications
* Administration & Support
* Design & Creative
* Finance & Accounting
* Human Resources
* (and more)
Payout Method: The specific payout method will depend on the individual company or client you’re working with. JobVine doesn’t handle payments.
Tip: Regularly check the JobVine Freelance section for new opportunities and leverage their job search tools to find relevant gigs.
Guru is a global freelancing platform with a strong presence in South Africa, offering project-based and long-term freelance work.
Ideal for: Freelancers seeking a mix of short-term and long-term project opportunities.
Gigs Available: Explore a vast pool of freelance projects across various fields:
* Web Development & IT
* Writing & Translation
* Design & Multimedia
* Business & Finance
* Marketing & Sales
* (and more)
Payout Method: Guru offers several secure withdrawal options for South African freelancers:
* Payoneer
* Bank Transfer (availability may vary based on location)
Consider: Guru has a global user base, so some projects might require specific time zone availability.
Contra is a talent marketplace specializing in connecting businesses with pre-vetted, experienced freelancers in South Africa.
Ideal for: Experienced freelancers seeking high-quality freelance projects with established companies.
Gigs Available: Contra focuses on curated freelance positions across various industries:
* Marketing & Sales
* Design & Creative
* Business Operations
* Strategy & Consulting
* Technology & Development
* (and more)
Payout Method: The specific payout method will depend on the agreement between you and the client. Contra itself doesn’t handle payments.
Pro Tip: If you have a strong portfolio and demonstrable experience, Contra can be a good platform to find high-paying freelance work.
This list is not exhaustive and your ability to land gigs will depend on your services and experience. Make sure to try out these platforms to land your next gig. Happy freelancing!