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Teaching Volunteer Abroad in South Africa

Volunteer teaching in South Africa is a useful and noble way to spend a summer, a few months, or even a whole year! As a volunteer teacher, you’ll be helping kids or adults gain English skills that they may otherwise be unable to afford, but need nonetheless. With so many economies dependent on the English language nowadays, you’ll be setting these language-learners up for success on the global stage, giving them a more competitive edge.
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54 Volunteer Programs in South Africa

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

9.55

803

Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

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African Impact

9.42

38

Internships and Volunteer Programs in Africa

Volunteering in Africa takes you one step further than the average tourist into the true character of this unique continent. To us, volunteering is a two-way thing. It’s not only about the hands-on help and skills that volunteers bring, but also about what this magnificent continent, its warm people, and fantastic wildlife can give volunteers in return. African Impact is a multi-award-winning volunteer travel organization that runs and manages meaningful and responsible volunteer experiences and internship programs throughout Africa. Founded in 2004 in Zimbabwe, African Impact has grown into a leader in African volunteer tourism, having facilitated over 12,000 volunteers and interns in countries across the African continent. Our internship division is of great importance to us. We firmly believe that ethical internships can play a significant role in helping us achieve our mission of providing exceptional experiences that contribute to worthy causes in a meaningful way. With the nurturing of close partnerships across the continent, we have access to over 120 internship placements—all individually managed to match the applicant.

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

9.57

14

South Africa - Teach, Surf and Skate in Cape Town

This project is an adventure club for 12-14 year old children focused primarily on extramural surfing and swimming lessons. The adventure club provides children with a valuable opportunity to take part in a range of outdoor activities from surfing and swimming to hiking and even sandboarding. An orientation in Cape Town is provided before the start of the project. There are anywhere from 5 to 20 children participating in the club every week. Volunteers are able to take free surf lessons during the school day and then help teach and lead groups of children after school. There are also opportunities to assist in community development or to help teach computer skills in schools during the day. Activities include teaching kids to swim, skate and surf, helping on hikes and running fun days and sports programs. so far over 300 children have learned to swim and over 80 have learned to surf!

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Impact Gap Year

10

3

Cultural Explorer Gap Year

Take on an 8-month trip of adventure, community service, and community development across the globe. Join a gap year program that will take you to enchanting destinations filled with cultural immersions, impactful volunteering, and an unforgettable summer experience. Your journey will begin in Costa Rica, where you will work with local communities in addressing social and economic challenges. You will then travel to South Africa to help lead sports development, followed by a summer of learning and practicing the Spanish language in Spain. Finally, you will volunteer in teaching and community building and development in Thailand and Cambodia while enjoying the sun, sand, and sea. Eligibility requirements: - Must be in good physical and mental health - At least 18 years old during travel - Have a fluent understanding of English - Have a clean background check if working with minors Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the communities you will serve. Visit our website or inquire today for complete details about this program.

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Roots Interns

8

1

Community Development Internship Abroad

Make a direct contribution to positive change by supporting local organizations working to improve lives through community-based projects. Community development internships through Roots Interns take place in diverse regions such as Malawi, South Africa, Brazil, Ecuador, Zambia, and beyond, offering hands-on involvement in grassroots initiatives that focus on education, environmental awareness, youth empowerment, and social justice. Whether you’re leading activities with local youth, supporting refugee programs, or helping launch sustainable tourism efforts, your work will have a meaningful impact. These internships are ideal for students and recent graduates looking to build practical experience in areas such as program coordination, mentorship, communication, research, or nonprofit development. With placements starting at a minimum of 4 to 12 weeks, and flexible start dates throughout the year, you'll find an internship that aligns with your academic schedule and interests. From remote options to fully immersive in-country experiences, each opportunity is tailored to match your skills and learning goals while giving you a deeper understanding of social change from the ground up.

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Projects Abroad

9.41

296

Global Leader In Meaningful Travel. Trusted By 130,000

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

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Love Volunteers

9.58

201

Volunteer Abroad & Make a REAL Difference - From US$175!

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

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Connect-123 Internship Programs

9.74

101

Global Internship & Volunteer Programs with Connect-123!

Looking for an international internship that will set you apart—and give you the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in your career? Connect-123 designs fully customized programs that match your background and goals, offering hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting cities: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, our programs span dozens of fields including business, finance, medicine, public health, journalism, marketing, human rights, law, sustainability, education, and more. You’ll gain meaningful, career-related experience while also exploring life in a new culture. We take care of the details so you can focus on making the most of your time abroad. From the moment you apply, our team helps guide you through the process, secure your placement, and prepare you for your new adventure. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing internship begins on your schedule.

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Volunteer World

8.69

16

Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

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All Out Africa

0

0

Cape Town Teaching & Youth Development Volunteer Program

Education is one of the key needs of children, as this is their doorway to a bright future. In South Africa, kids have to go to school because it is seen as a fundamental human right, yet a significant percentage struggle to attend or do well at school due to various reasons, such as unemployment, HIV/AIDS, poverty, and substance abuse. Hence, this education project from All Out Africa aims to assist primary school children in various ways, including helping them learn to read and providing one-on-one support to those performing below the 20% pass rate. Volunteers will also work on an after-school project that continues to support educational activities, including reading and homework, as well as teach life skills and activities to improve self-confidence. Participants don’t need prior experience to volunteer in this project. What’s important is motivation and sensitivity to each child’s needs. The organization will help them settle into a role that benefits the children they work with while they gain valuable skills themselves. Participants can choose whether they prefer a teaching role at a local primary school or a childcare role at a preschool or nursery.

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AIFS Abroad

9

13

AIFS Abroad in Stellenbosch, South Africa: Semester

Take a semester or academic year in the fascinating Stellenbosch with AIFS Abroad. You can earn up to 15 credits studying at the University of Stellenbosch. The courses are delivered in English. Choose your course on the Full Curriculum Program. Focus on South African history and culture through the General Education Program. Global Service Learning and a Learning for Sustainable Community Engagement program are also available. Live in the student residence hall at the heart of campus life. You will have a single en-suite room with shared common areas and laundry facilities. Internet access and a meal allowance are included. You will enjoy cultural and social activities such as: • Beach excursions • Trips to local craft and food markets • Vineyard tour • Day trip along the famous Garden Route • Day trips to Cape Town, Robben Island, Cape of Good Hope Nature Preserve, and Boulder’s Beach (home of 3,000 African penguins) Optional excursions include a 3-day trip to the Cederberg Mountains and a 5-day visit to Addo Elephant Park and Breede River.

Volunteering Journeys

0

0

Teaching, Women Empowerment, Medical & Wildlife Volunteering

Volunteering Journeys South Africa programs are extremely popular as there are a diverse set of volunteering opportunities, ranging from teaching English, sports coaching & medical electives to animal & wildlife conservation programs such as the Big 5 animal conservation program. A big draw to volunteer in South Africa is the range of other activities that you can undertake whilst you are participating on our volunteering programs. Programs in South Africa are ideal for gap year volunteering, family volunteering and anyone looking for an adventure filled volunteer experience! South Africa is aptly named the “Rainbow Nation” for its fight for several decades to overcome aparthied and other racially discriminatory practices. Although aparthied is a thing of the past, the country still suffers from economic disparities, gender-based violence, and illegal wildlife trade. Our volunteer programs tackle some of these issues. As in any other developing country, South Africa needs volunteers who can help with achieving the short and long-term objectives of humanitarian & animal welfare programs. Volunteering programs are in Cape Town and wildlife is in Kruger National Park!

DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage

9.32

234

Volunteer with Children & Animals at DAKTARI

100% of your payment goes to this charity! This exceptional experience provides volunteers with the unique opportunity of teaching children to protect the environment and to care for rescued wild animals. You will inspire a generation of local children to become passionate about wildlife conservation. Please note that the animals are unfortunately kept in captivity only because they are not able to return to the wild. Volunteering with us isn’t just about working. You’ll also learn about the local customs and beliefs, language, and traditional food. Our staff will teach you about the secrets of the Sepedi culture while cooking delicious food or dancing around a bonfire! Plus, you’ll have the chance to explore more of South Africa through half-day and full-day trips. This volunteer program is an incredible learning experience for participants of all ages and backgrounds. It runs from mid-January to mid-December every year, with start and end dates on Saturdays. You can stay with us from 1 to 12 weeks, depending on your availability.

GVI

9.28

110

Volunteer Teaching in Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa is often referred to as the Rainbow Nation, for representing numerous cultures, subcultures, 11 official languages, and several more sublanguages. It’s a land with an impressive reserve of natural resources and wildlife and rightfully holds eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Contribute to education initiatives in one of Cape Town’s vulnerable communities where local youth often grow up in high-risk environments. This project contributes toward their educational development in a safe space to encourage their full potential. Through dedicated one-on-one tutoring sessions, you’ll assist student’s literacy and numeracy skills development and conversational English. Your contributions support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. In addition, you could be managing large class sizes where teachers conduct lessons in English, which is often not the students native language. Therefore, GVI has partnered with a local primary school to help improve the overall standard and quality of English lessons. In your free time, travel around the city and coastline, or visit one of the Seven Wonders of Nature, the city’s very own, Table Mountain.

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Volunteer International Adventures

9.9

10

Teach at Township Schools in South Africa

Teach at local community schools in Knysna, South Africa, in this volunteer project. Support the development of children by teaching them English, Natural Science, Maths, Dance, Music, Sports, and other subjects. You could also assist with reading groups in school libraries or special needs activities. We have placements at township schools, which have large classes and basic facilities. Therefore, the teachers greatly appreciate any help in managing a huge number of students. Your ideas are always welcome to improve a variety of areas: foundation phase little ones, Physical Education, English teaching, Mathematics, and others. This project is available during South African school terms, between mid-January to early December. Start days are from Monday to Friday, and the minimum length of stay is two weeks. A longer duration is subject to visa requirements. We welcome volunteers from 17 years old.

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Oyster Worldwide

9.63

8

Volunteering with Kids in South Africa

If you love kids, you will love this programme. Based on the coast of South Africa, in Port Elizabeth, you will work in the local townships either helping in nurseries or teaching in schools. Volunteers assist South African teachers with their lessons and help to involve the kids in extracurricular activities. Schools try very hard to provide the best possible experience for the children that they look after. But with limited resources and with many of the kids relying solely on the school to get a full meal, this can be difficult. This is why volunteers are so important. The role of a volunteer is to be an energetic, fun-loving role model for the kids. They love to play and get to know you; and although this can be exhausting, it is also thoroughly fulfilling. After spending your day with children, it is always great to have a place to relax in the evenings. Volunteers live in a shared accommodation in a beautiful, leafy area of Port Elizabeth. It has basic gym facilities, a game room, table tennis, table football, and darts – there is even a swimming pool! Only a 10-minute drive to the sea, it is an amazing place to call home.

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Tshega

9

5

Volunteer Journey in South Africa, Transform Lives

Tshega Christian Mission (TCM) is a non-profit organization established in 2004. Under a tree, a commitment was born to transform lives and bring hope and love to a community in crisis. When you choose to volunteer with us, you know that you are guaranteed a legitimate and valuable program, with diversity for every taste as well as a strong support system. We offer something for everyone! One Base with a diversity of programs: * The Lighthouse Academy Primary school * Lamb's Haven Kindergarten * Orphaned and vulnerable children's program * Feeding scheme and an after-school homework club * Basadi skills development program for vulnerable women * TCM ministry program with outreach in the village and on the base * TCM Agri program * Sports/Choir/Drama/Skits * Admin/Social Media/Marketing * Maintenance and construction Your volunteer journey in South Africa begins with an orientation, and then you decide where your passion lies. Together, we can make a difference. We look forward to receiving you with true South African hospitality. Plus, we organize superb weekend excursions, which you simply shouldn't miss out on!

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Magister South Africa Programs for Students and Volunteers

9

4

International Internship/Volunteer Positions in Cape Town

Magister South Africa offers a broad range of internship and volunteering placements in Cape Town. As one of the most established and well-known internship and volunteer organizations in South Africa's capital, our main goal is geared toward matching and placing qualified international students, interns, and volunteers with dynamic companies and organizations based in Cape Town. With our wide network of contacts and range of skills, we strive to ensure that the participants' experiences abroad remain unforgettable one. Magister offers great value to students and volunteers and invests in their personal development and education as well as their careers. We match placements according to qualifications, interests, and university requirements to ensure a unique internship or volunteer experience that best fits individual needs.

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Globe Aware

0

0

South Africa - Supporting Communities

South Africa has celebrated an end to formal apartheid but, despite its rich natural resources and can-do attitude, the majority of the black population still faces huge challenges. Job prospects are still in low supply, housing and the standard of living are still far below expectations, access to running tap water is limited, decent flushing toilets are shared, and millions still live in slums. Much of the work and projects involve helping the overcrowded community of Imizano Yethu township where most of the residents live in makeshift iron shacks, sharing communal taps and toilets with hundreds of neighbors, where the roads are potholed, and where the basic infrastructure is rundown. Volunteers take on various tasks: - improve and maintain normal community and preschool (crèche) care centers - assist with the refurbishment of the Community Youth Center - rebuild shacks lost due to fires - replace simple roofing - waterproof homes - install concrete flooring - paint and refurbish local schools - participate in community and school sports programs like soccer, volleyball, field hockey, and physical education lessons

Involvement Volunteers International

0

0

Kindergarten Teaching in Cape Town, South Africa

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children in Mitchell’s Plain by joining our Early Childhood Development program in Cape Town. As a Kindergarten Teaching volunteer, you’ll help nurture the growth and creativity of children aged 2–4, providing them with the foundations for a brighter future. Working closely with local educators, you’ll support play-based learning and offer personalized care that encourages emotional, social, and intellectual development. This is your opportunity to make a lasting impact while immersing yourself in Cape Town’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and vibrant local communities. Help empower the next generation and be part of lasting change. - Work with local teachers to create and lead engaging, age-appropriate activities. - Support children needing extra encouragement and guidance. - Assist in teaching basic English, math, or life skills through fun and hands-on learning. - Lead group activities and help create a stimulating classroom environment. - Observe progress and offer feedback to enhance the learning experience.

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A Guide to Volunteer Teaching in South Africa

Why Volunteer to teach in South Africa?

Volunteer teaching in South Africa will take you to places like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and even more rural areas where teachers and language skills are more greatly needed. You may be teaching kids their basic ABCs, more advanced colloquialisms to older students, or proper grammar to businesspeople. Keep in mind that it’s also possible you won’t be teaching English at all — your volunteer teaching in South Africa can include other subjects, like environmental education or math!

During your downtime volunteer teaching in South Africa, don’t skip going on a safari — ethically, of course. The opportunities to see animals like lions, giraffes, and elephants will be all around you. Just make sure to explore responsibility.

Volunteer teaching in South Africa will be the adventure of a lifetime! Explore all your options on GoAbroad.com.

Latest Program Reviews

social impact

February 06, 2026by: Juliana Caltabiano Eichler - Brazil

Program: Volunteer with Children & Animals at DAKTARI

9

Taking part in the Daktari Bush School project was a very special experience for me. Spending time with the children, learning from them, and feeling that I was able to make even a small difference in their lives was truly meaningful. This experience made me reflect even more on the importance of education, health, and respect for the environment and animals. I return from this journey with a full heart and an even stronger desire to contribute to a more fair, conscious, and humane world

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