Whether you want to get a job, start a small business, or just understand money better, these free and low-cost courses give you practical skills that employers and customers actually value.
20+
Courses Listed
R0
Many are fully free
4
Skill paths to choose
The SASSA grant system is designed as a safety net, not a permanent income. For most grant types, the monthly amount alone is not enough to cover all living costs, and amounts are subject to budget changes each year.
Learning a skill, even a basic one, creates the possibility of additional income alongside your grant. A few hours of digital marketing freelancing, a home-based sewing business, or a part-time call centre role can add R1,000 to R5,000 per month on top of your grant, changing your financial situation significantly.
The skills that have the highest impact are digital skills (IT, marketing, data) because they can be done remotely from any internet-connected phone or computer, and trade skills (plumbing, electrical, beauty) because they are always in local demand and hard to outsource.
Many of the courses below are fully free for South Africans, funded by the government through SETAs, by international companies like Google and Microsoft, or offered for free through financial aid on platforms like Coursera. You do not need to pay to start learning.
Skills that employers actively hire for, so you can start earning within months of completing these.
Google / Coursera
Cost
Free with financial aid (apply on Coursera) or ~R900/month without aid
Duration
3-6 months (self-paced)
Outcomes: IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, starting at R8,000 to R15,000 per month
Google / Coursera
Cost
Free with financial aid on Coursera
Duration
6 months (self-paced)
Outcomes: Junior Data Analyst, Business Analyst, around R15,000 to R25,000 per month
Google / Coursera
Cost
Free with financial aid on Coursera
Duration
6 months (self-paced)
Outcomes: Digital Marketing Coordinator, Social Media Manager, around R8,000 to R18,000 per month
Microsoft Learn
Cost
100% Free (no sign-up required)
Duration
8-12 hours (self-paced)
Outcomes: Cloud Support Technician and entry-level IT roles, with a path to higher certifications
MICT SETA (Government)
Cost
Free, SETA-funded for unemployed South Africans
Duration
12 months (includes stipend)
Outcomes: IT Technician, Junior Developer, with NQF Level 4 to 5 qualification
NEMISA (Government)
Cost
Free for South African citizens
Duration
2-6 weeks per course
Outcomes: Entry-level digital roles, freelancing, administrative positions
Build skills to become self-employed and create income that does not depend on an employer.
SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency)
Cost
Free for South African entrepreneurs
Duration
Varies by workshop (2 days to 3 months)
Outcomes: Register and run a formal small business with proper financial records
Google Garage (Learndigital)
Cost
100% Free
Duration
40 hours total across modules
Outcomes: Run a micro-business online, take orders via WhatsApp, sell on Facebook Marketplace
Digify Africa
Cost
Free for youth (18-35)
Duration
4-8 weeks
Outcomes: Run a small digital business, side hustle from smartphone
SAB Foundation
Cost
Free (application required)
Duration
6 months of mentoring + workshops
Outcomes: Scale an existing micro-business to formal SME with revenue growth
Understand how money works through budgeting, saving, avoiding debt traps, and building wealth step by step.
Khan Academy
Cost
Free
Duration
4 weeks
Outcomes: Build a 3-6 month emergency fund and stop borrowing to cover basics
Momentum
Cost
Free resources and tools
Duration
Self-paced
Outcomes: Make informed decisions on insurance and long-term savings
National Stokvel Association of SA (NASASA)
Cost
Free guides and resources
Duration
Self-paced
Outcomes: Build community savings and create a group emergency fund, a proven SA tradition
Practical skills you can start earning from quickly, and many only need a phone or basic tools.
Google / Coursera
Cost
Free with Coursera financial aid
Duration
6 months (self-paced)
Outcomes: Junior UX Designer or freelance designer, around R15,000 to R30,000 per month
Meta / Coursera
Cost
Free with Coursera financial aid
Duration
7 months (self-paced)
Outcomes: Social Media Manager or freelance content creator, around R8,000 to R20,000 per month
Public TVET Colleges (Government)
Cost
Subsidised or free for qualifying applicants
Duration
3-12 months
Outcomes: Trade apprenticeship and SAQA-certified trade certificate, with strong local employment demand
Services SETA (Government)
Cost
Free, SETA-funded and includes stipend
Duration
12 months
Outcomes: Call centre agent, retail supervisor, or customer service representative, with an immediate employment pathway
Many of the best courses (Google, Meta, Duke University) are on Coursera. You can access them for free through financial aid. Here is how:
