WHAT TO EXPECT
A bakkie side hustle can be a serious way to make extra money in South Africa. You don't need to start with a big company or expensive equipment. If you already have a bakkie, you can use it to provide services, transport goods or even start a completely different business.
Here are a few ideas.
Here is a quick comparison of the top bakkie side hustles in South Africa, what gear you will need, and realistic earning potential per trip or month:
| Side Hustle | Best Bakkie Type | Essential Equipment | Estimated Earning Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture Moving & Student Relocation | Single or Double Cab (Canopy or Open Bed) | Heavy-duty tie-down straps, moving blankets, trolley | R600 – R1,500 per local trip |
| Building Materials Delivery | Single Cab (Dropside or 1-Tonne) | Heavy tarpaulin cover, ratchet tie-downs, shovel | R500 – R1,200 per hardware delivery |
| Garden Refuse & Rubble Removal | Single Cab with high cattle rails / mesh | Pitchfork, rakes, heavy-duty disposal bags, dump fee slip | R450 – R900 per load |
| Mobile Spaza / Fresh Produce Supply | Double Cab or Half-Tonne (e.g. NP200) | Plastic crates, digital hanging scale, card machine | R3,500 – R8,000 profit weekly |
| Weekend Bakkie Rental / Courier Contractor | 1-Tonne Diesel Bakkie (Hilux, Isuzu, Ranger) | GPS tracker, verified driver contract, roadside assist | R800 – R1,400 daily hire fee |
Move Furniture
You can help people move furniture when they move houses. Students are another good market, especially when they move between university residences, res and home.
Deliver Building Materials
People buy sand, bricks, cement and other building materials but don't always have a vehicle to transport them. You can work with local hardware stores or take direct orders from customers.
Start a Landscaping Business
Get a lawnmower, brush cutter and some basic gardening tools, then start offering garden maintenance in nearby suburbs. You can also approach schools, churches, businesses and other organisations that need their yards maintained.
Deliver Water
In areas that often experience water shortages, water delivery can become a useful service. If you have access to a legal and reliable water supply, you can deliver water to households and charge for the service.
Sell Fresh Produce
You can buy vegetables and fruit from farms or wholesalers and sell them in your community. A bakkie makes it easier to transport larger quantities and reach customers in different areas.
Rent Out Sound Equipment
If you have speakers, microphones and other sound equipment, you can offer them for birthdays, weddings, parties and community events. Your bakkie can also be used to transport and set up the equipment.
Transport Farm Produce
You can work with farmers who need their produce taken to markets, shops or customers. This can work particularly well in areas where farming is common.
Remove Garden Waste
People regularly cut grass, trees and bushes but don't always have a way to get rid of the waste. You can offer a collection service and charge per load or job.
Transport Equipment
Businesses and individuals often need equipment moved from one place to another. This could include tools, machinery, event equipment or stock. You can charge based on the distance and size of the job.
Find a Problem in Your Area
The best idea might not be on this list.
Look around your neighbourhood and see what people are struggling to get or what they are already paying others to do.
If there is a problem, and your bakkie can help solve it, you may have a business.
Don't just ask what you can do with a bakkie. Ask what your community needs and how your bakkie can provide it.
