When you are young, work to learn, not to earn.
Robert T. Kiyosaki
You feel the desire to start earning some money, but you are a high school student. Perhaps you want to buy yourself a new iPhone or PlayStation game, but your parents refuse to buy it for you. Maybe if you start working part time, you will make enough money to purchase the iPhone or PlayStation game for yourself. Earning pocket money from a tender age won't be considered a crime, right? You have done volunteer work to score some marks in Life Orientation, and maybe you feel that you can devote your time to working while earning from the work that you put in.
Well, let us consider everything that you need to know about entering the world of work in South Africa and whether you should be weighing your work-school balance options at your age or not.
You also need to remember that if you choose to work from a young age, you must also consider learning while you work so that you can use all that you have learnt to increase your earning when you are of the legal earning age.
Factors That Determine the Legal Age for Working in South Africa
If you are a high school student deciding whether or not you can start working, there are a few factors that you need to consider before you start sending out your CV and before you begin finding employment.
According to Basic Conditions of Employment Act in South Africa, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 15 to work.
- Exception to the Law: Children under the age of 15 can work if they are in the field of performing arts. With a valid permit, anyone under 15 years old can work in the field of performing arts only.
- Laws of Working: If anyone 15 years or over decides to work, they are not permitted to do work that is considered to be inappropriate or unsafe for their age. Teenagers cannot work in places that put them at risk of getting hurt.
- The Number of Hours You Work: The law ensures that you have time for school and time to enjoy your youth hence teenagers 15 years and older are not allowed to work for as many hours as adult workers.
- Acceptable Jobs for Teenagers: There are certain jobs that are recommended for teenagers. Perhaps consider the jobs that are stipulated to be best for your age group first before considering other jobs.
- Full Time Work Option: It is only considered desirable for teenagers to work full time once they reach 18 years and older and have finished school. It is best for South African teenagers to finish school first before they even consider the full-time work option. At 18, teenagers can look for learning and earning opportunities.
Both employers and potential employees under the age of 18 need to be clued up about these laws. As a teenager, it is best to find out about a job that you would like to pursue before you start working. You also need to consider whether the work you are getting into is age appropriate or not. The South African law tries to preserve childhood as much as possible and that is why children are only legally allowed to work at 18.
It is considered illegal for children between 15 and 17 to be working in an unsafe space where they are selling alcoholic beverages.
What is the Legal Working Age in South Africa for Part-time Workers?
to start working part-time.
At 15 years and older, you are allowed to work, but only on a part-time basis.
However, you need to take into consideration that although you are legally allowed to work at 15, it cannot be at the expense of missing out on school.
As a minor, the number of hours that you work and the time when you can work has been predetermined.
Let us look at when you can and cannot work.
So, if you are a high school student, you are only allowed to work for about 20 hours during the school week.
Do you think you will be able to handle working for 20 hours per week and still do well at school?
When you are working as minor, you need to pay attention to not working before school nor should you work late in the evenings. Devote enough time to your schoolwork and don't skip school for work-related commitments. Choose where you decide to work rather carefully. Avoid working in dangerous places such as factories where you can get hurt. Try to take breaks as often as you need them to enjoy your youth. At 15 to 17 years old, you are considered to be a part-time worker hence don't structure your entire life around work.
While deciding to work from a young age is a very mature decision, you need to remember that you are still quite young, and you should not burden yourself with the responsibility of earning a living from such a tender age. Don't take on big responsibilities like that of being a breadwinner.
Working while completing high school should be a part-time job, you should fully concentrate on completing your schooling. You need to ensure that you are putting your all into your studies. If you find yourself struggling in a particular subject, you need to reach out to a tutor to gain some help. Try not to fall behind in any subject.
You can put your all into work once you reach the legal working age and no longer have school to worry about according to the basic conditions' employment act. Furthermore, children under the age of 18 cannot work before 6am or after 6pm.
Suggested Job for Teenagers 15 Years and Older
Here are some of the jobs you can consider doing if you are eager to start working at 15 years or older.
| Job | Description |
|---|---|
| Babysitting | Families look for trustworthy teens to spend time with and look after younger children while they are away or busy. |
| Dog walking | Older pet owners who don't have the strength to walk their dogs anymore could rely on your services to walk their dog/dogs for a fee. This can be a rewarding job too. |
| Academic Tutoring | If you are particularly good in a subject, you can tutor younger students for a minimal fee. Tutoring is great as you are recapping your foundational knowledge while you teach someone else. |
| Fast food worker | You can even work at fast food places as they are always hiring teenagers. |
| Catering company | Provided you are nowhere near the burning stove, you can join a catering company and serve guests at events. |
| Freelance writer/ editor | If your writing skills are top notch, you can even get a contract job where you write for a magazine or blog on a part-time basis. |
| House cleaner | You can offer to tidy up your neighbours' homes for a fee. |
| Dance, art or music teacher | If you are a skilled dancer, artist or musician, you can offer your services by offering to teach younger children how to dance, draw or play an instrument. |
These are just some of the jobs that young people of working age can take up in order to earn some cash while not causing any upset to their work-school balance.
Legal Age to Start Working in South Africa as a Full Time Worker
Since you are considering working from a young age, let's give you a taste of what it would be like to be a full-time employee. When you reach the legal full-time working age of 18 and over, you can start working for 40 hours per work in a job of your choosing.
It is then that you must consider factors such as whether you are earning the minimum wage or not. According to South Africa law, all workers must earn a minimum wage of R27, 58 per hour. A suggestion would be to ask your potential employer for the minimum wage even if you are working part-time. This shows that you know the laws and know where to start. You may want to speak to an adult that you trust to make sure that you are getting paid fairly for the work you do when you are working both part-time, and when you start full-time work. It is always good to know from the onset what is considered a fair wage for a specific job. By doing this, you understand the worth of each type of job and it will prevent you from being underpaid when you actually do become a breadwinner and have to run your own household.
If you still are on the fence about whether or not you need to work while you are still at a tender age, we will say that you should go with your gut feeling. If you feel that working (even part-time) will benefit you financially and emotionally, opt to work. We can say that working while you are still at school or even pursuing an internship after you finish school and while you are still in university can have considerable benefits for you in the long run. When you apply for a job once you qualify, potential employers will look at your work experience.
Being able to multitask and manage school or university while working part-time while look great on your CV. You could also ask your part-time employer to write a reference letter for you that will prove that you have the necessary skills for the world of full-time work. Knowing and learning your skills and what you are good at from a young age will help you when you have to apply for a course or degree at a university level. If you take on a job while you are still at school and you are not too good at doing that job, you know to steer clear of that job when you are applying for a full-time job.
If you feel that you are ready to work part-time at your age, consider jobs like tutoring, babysitting, gardening, waitressing, catering, or being an office assistant. If you are not sure about whether a particular job is for you or not, speak to people who are already doing that particular job. With most jobs, it is always best to know what you are getting yourself into before starting!
There is nothing wrong with finding your feet in the working world from a young age. There is also nothing wrong with developing the confidence that you need to ace any work interview that you will have in the future. Become an impressionable employee by starting to work part-time from the time that you reach the legal working age in South Africa.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
Im a 18 year old boy from feta kgomo looking for a part time job
Hello Innocent,
If you have a skill to share with others, you could consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach online or in your local area. We wish you the best of luck!
This was very helpful.
Hello Onalenna,
Thanks for your feedback! We’re glad you found this article useful.
I want to work for part time I’m a student
Hello Thato,
If you have a skill to share with others, you could consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach online or in your local area. You can sign up directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. We wish you the best of luck!
I am a teenager and I would like to apply for a part-time job
Hello Onalenna,
If you have a skill to share with others, you could consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach online or in your local area. You can sign up directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. Otherwise, look for part-time job ads in your area or on reputable job sites. We wish you the best of luck!
I’m looking for a part time job I’m 16 year old available from Friday till Sunday and after school at 3
Hello Azile,
If you have a skill to share with others, you could consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach online or in your local area. You get to decide when you work, so you’ll have maximum flexibility. You can sign up directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. Otherwise, look for part-time job ads in your area or on reputable job sites. We wish you the best of luck!
As an 18-year-old Grade 11 student at Kwezi Ngomso Comprehensive School, I’m eager to explore opportunities that align with my passion for teaching and helping others. As a Bible study teacher at my church and a counselor for young women, I’ve discovered the joy of sharing knowledge and inspiring growth. I’m excited about the prospect of tutoring because it allows me to make a positive impact on others while continuing to learn and grow myself. My motivation isn’t solely financial; I’m driven by a desire to empower others with the skills and confidence they need to succeed. I believe that my experience, combined with my passion for teaching and mentoring, makes me an ideal candidate for this opportunity. I look forward to contributing to a supportive and educational environment.
Hello Silulamile,
If you have a skill to share with others, you can sign up as a tutor directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. We wish you the best of luck!
I really do want to work here especially on my free times
Hello Silulamile,
If you have a skill to share with others, you can sign up as a tutor directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. We wish you the best of luck!
I am precious from duduza Nigel Gauteng 17 year old I am looking for a job
Hello Precious
If you have a skill to share with others, you could consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach online or in your local area. You can sign up directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. Otherwise, look for part-time job ads in your area or on reputable job sites. We wish you the best of luck!
I want job but I’m still in high school but when the school is open I will on weekends and I also have experience
Hello Linathi,
If you’re old enough to work, you could look for part-time job ads in your area or on reputable job sites. Many shops need part-time workers to help at the weekend, so it’s worth checking nearby shopping centres. If you have a skill to share with others, you could also consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach online or in your local area. You get to decide when you work, so you’ll have maximum flexibility. You can sign up directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. We wish you the best of luck!
I need a job of making me a money and I can do lots of things
Hello Siyabonga,
If you’re old enough to work, you could look for part-time job ads in your area or on reputable job sites. If you have a skill to share with others, you could also consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach online or in your local area. You get to decide when you work, so you’ll have maximum flexibility. You can sign up directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. We wish you the best of luck!
I need a part time job that’s gonna help me earn some cash even if it’s small I’m a good budgeter I’m 17 years old live in mamelodi east
Hello Faith,
You could look for part-time job ads in your area or on reputable job sites. Many shops need part-time workers to help at the weekend, so it’s worth checking nearby shopping centres. If you have a skill to share with others, you could also consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach younger students online or in your local area. You get to decide when you work, so you’ll have maximum flexibility. You can sign up directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. We wish you the best of luck!
I’m a 15 year old looking for a part time job (cleaning; babysitting etc.) just to get my own money😭
Hello Matlhogonolo,
You could look for part-time job ads in your area or on reputable job sites. Many shops need part-time workers to help at the weekend, so it’s worth checking nearby shopping centres too. We wish you the best of luck!
Hi, this information was useful. Thank you for publishing it. Also, I heard you that this is a tutoring site. I am 15 years old, is it possible to be a tutor at this age.
Hello Fiso,
We’re glad you found this article helpful! Unfortunately, you’re too young to tutor on Superprof, but you can sign up when you turn 16.
I’m 16 I’m wnt I’m looking for a job plz
Hello Jeremiah,
You could look for part-time job ads in your area or on reputable job sites. Many shops need part-time workers to help at the weekend, so it’s worth checking nearby shopping centres. If you have a skill to share with others, you could also consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach younger students online or in your local area. You get to decide when you work, so you’ll have maximum flexibility. You can sign up directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za. We wish you the best of luck!
I am jemimah for Wesbank I need a job for the school holiday’s and I am 18years old
Hello Jemimah,
You could look for part-time job ads in your area or on reputable job sites. Many shops need part-time workers to help at the weekend and during the holidays, so it’s worth checking nearby shopping centres too. If you have a skill to share with others, you could also consider signing up as a tutor on Superprof, where you could teach younger students online or in your local area. You get to decide when you work, so you’ll have maximum flexibility. You can sign up directly on our website, https://www.superprof.co.za.
Great reading this article it really guides you to understand what you can do at a young age very simple.