24/07/2025
WHERE TO START LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Before you start looking, itβs important to consider the following:
How to Choose?
- Passion-based β Pick a cause you care about (animals, kids, environment).
- Skill-based β Use your talents (teaching, tech, art).
- Time-based β One-off events vs. long-term commitments.
Young people in South Africa have many great options to find volunteering opportunities. Here are some of the best places to start looking:
1. Online Volunteering Platforms
These websites list local and international opportunities:
- forgood (www.forgood.co.za) β Connects volunteers with NGOs across South Africa.
- Volunteer World (https://www.volunteerworld.com/en/volunteer-abroad/south-africa) β Platform for meaningful projects.
2. Local NGOs & Charities
Many organisations welcome young volunteers. Some well-known ones include:
- TEARS Animal Rescue (Animal welfare)
- FoodForward SA (Hunger relief)
- Habitat Humanity South Africa (habitat.org.za) (Housing projects)
- The Lunchbox Fund (School feeding programs)
- South African National Blood Service SANBS (Blood donation drives & volunteering)
3. Universities & Colleges
Many institutions (like UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UKZN) have community engagement offices that connect students with local volunteering projects.
Check student societies (e.g., Rotaract, Enactus) for volunteer initiatives.
4. Government & Youth Programs
- National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) β Sometimes lists skills-based volunteering.
-GovChat https://www.govchat.org/ (Community initiatives via their app).
5. International Organizations (Local Branches)
- Red Cross South Africa https://redcross.org.za/ (Disaster relief)
- UN Volunteers (www.unv.org) β Some remote opportunities.
6. Social Media & Community Groups
-Facebook Groups (e.g., Volunteering Opportunities South Africa)
-LinkedIn (Search for )
7. Corporate Volunteering Programs
Some companies (like Discovery, Nedbank, ABSA) have employee volunteer programs that may accept external youth volunteers.