"[A side hustle] is not just about avoiding or overcoming economic uncertainty, it's about creating something for yourself and having ownership over that, and that's a wonderful thing," says Chris Guillebeau, entrepreneur and author of ‘Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days’.

It's crucial to "look away from the gig economy" and part-time jobs, he says, and put your energy toward creating something unique and valuable that people will pay for. 

Scelo Makhathini, CEO and founder of recruitment agency LinkdPro, says South Africans can easily earn a couple of thousands rand per week from a successful side-hustle. 

However, he warned that side hustles and freelance jobs will require some technical skills as companies embrace “the workplace of the future.” 

Makhathini gave Business Insider South Africa his list of the top side hustles in the country right now. 

Logo Designer

You could earn: R250 – R350 an hour.

Time required: 3 – 4 hours per day/project, depending on deliverable and deadline.

Pet walker 

You could earn: R170 – R250 an hour. Time required: 3 – 4 hours per day.

CV Writer

Keep in mind that potential recruiters and employers might not view your CV on a PC (Shutterstock)

You could earn: R5 – R8 per word.

Time required: 2 – 3 hours per day, project-deliverable dependent.

LinkedIn Profile Writer

Image: Getty Images

You could earn: R4 – R5 per word.

Time required: 1.5 – 2.5 hours per day, project deadline dependent.

Online English Teacher

You could earn: R25 – R50 per hour.

Time required: 3 hours daily.

Photoshop Expert

You could earn: R280 – R350 per hour.

Time required: 2 – 4 hours per day, project deadline dependent.

Part time travel consultant

Image: Getty Images

You could earn: R200 – R225 per day.

Time required: 3 – 4 hours per day.

Proofreader

You could earn: R150 – R200 per hour.

Time required: 2.5 – 3.5 hours per day,project deadline dependent.

Translator

You could earn: R170 – R220 per hour.

Time required: 2 – 3 hours per day, project deadline dependent.

Facebook Ads Specialist

Mark Zuckerberg moes die week verskoning vra nadat dit aan die lig gekom het dat Facebook miljoene gebruikers se privaatheid geskend het. Foto: AP

You could earn: R140 – R180 per hour.

Time required: 1 – 2 hours per day, project deadline dependent.

Live Chat and Phone Support Assistant

You could earn: R140 – R190 per hour.

Time required: 1 – 3 hours per day, project deliverable and deadline dependent.

Quality Assurance Tester

You could earn: R190 – R260 per hour.

Time required: 2 – 4 hours per day, project deliverable and deadline dependent.