The holiday season isn’t just about celebration — it’s also the perfect time to earn extra cash. Every year, thousands of South Africans take advantage of Festive Jobs to boost their income, gain experience, or save for the new year. Whether you’re a student on holiday, a job seeker, or someone looking for part-time work, festive jobs can open doors to new opportunities while keeping your December calendar full.
Why a Festive Job Is a Great First Step
A festive or seasonal job is more than just pocket money. For matrics, it’s a practical way to:
- Learn punctuality, customer service, and teamwork
- Practise communication and basic numeracy on the job
- Earn money for studies, transport, or a gap year
- Get references and evidence of responsibility for future employers
Employers hire seasonal staff because demand spikes over the holidays — more shoppers, more deliveries, more events. Large job platforms often list dozens of seasonal positions every year in retail, hospitality, and logistics, while temporary recruitment agencies and mall retailers actively recruit short contracts between November and January.
Top 10 Festive Jobs for Matrics
Below are practical roles that commonly hire people with matric and little or no experience. For each role, you’ll find why employers hire matrics, typical duties, realistic pay expectations, what to include on your CV, and tips to stand out.
1) Retail Sales Assistant / Floor Staff
Why it’s great: High demand across malls, chain stores, and independent shops during December; flexible shifts.
What you’ll do: Greet customers, restock shelves, operate tills (cashier training provided), pack bags, maintain displays, and help with stock counts.
Pay: Often hourly or daily; larger chains usually pay at or above the minimum hourly rate.
CV tip: Emphasise communication, punctuality, teamwork, and any school leadership roles.
Stand-out move: Show enthusiasm in interviews and offer to work weekend shifts.
2) Cashier / Tills Operator
Why it’s great: Supermarkets and busy retail outlets need more cashiers during the festive rush. Training is short and practical.
What you’ll do: Scan items, process payments, bag items, and offer friendly customer service.
Pay: Often hourly; some larger retailers add a festive allowance. Always confirm whether training is paid.
CV tip: Highlight reliability and numeracy (handling money responsibly).
Stand-out move: Practise polite customer interactions and fast, accurate counting.
3) Warehouse & E-commerce Pick/Pack Assistant
Why it’s great: E-commerce and courier companies expand during the festive season, creating many entry-level warehouse roles.
What you’ll do: Pick items from racks, pack boxes, label parcels, and prepare orders for delivery. Some roles require light physical work.
Pay: Usually hourly; some warehouses pay extra for night shifts.
CV tip: Note physical fitness, ability to follow instructions, and punctuality.
Stand-out move: Offer flexibility for shifts and weekends — warehouses operate around the clock during peak times.
4) Food-Service Roles: Waiter / Kitchen Assistant / Fast-Food Crew
Why it’s great: Restaurants, food courts, and catering companies need extra staff for events and parties.
What you’ll do: Serve customers, clear tables, assist with basic food prep, and keep areas clean.
Pay: Could be hourly plus tips. Catering events sometimes offer higher day rates.
CV tip: Show ability to work under pressure and communicate well with customers.
Stand-out move: Learn basic food hygiene principles — it makes you more appealing to employers.
5) Events & Promotions Staff / Brand Ambassadors
Why it’s great: The holiday period is full of events, product launches, and activations needing outgoing, energetic promoters.
What you’ll do: Hand out samples, engage with shoppers, promote products, and collect feedback or contact details.
Pay: Daily or hourly rates; some promotional jobs pay per lead or sale.
CV tip: Emphasise communication, confidence, and teamwork.
Stand-out move: Show your comfort working with the public and willingness to travel locally for events.
6) Call Centre / Tele-sales Seasonal Agents
Why it’s great: Many call centres hire extra agents for year-end campaigns and customer service support. Training is usually provided.
What you’ll do: Handle calls, assist customers, take orders, or resolve queries following company scripts.
Pay: Base pay plus possible performance bonuses.
CV tip: Highlight clear speech, patience, and listening skills.
Stand-out move: Practise professional phone manners and confidence in handling different customers.
7) Security / Crowd-Control Assistants
Why it’s great: Events, concerts, and malls require crowd-control and safety staff. Some entry-level positions don’t need prior registration, but check each advert.
What you’ll do: Monitor entrances, guide visitors, report issues, and assist senior security officers.
Pay: Varies by venue and hours. Overtime and night shifts often pay more.
CV tip: Note reliability, alertness, and physical fitness.
Stand-out move: Offer availability for public holidays and evening events — these are high-demand times.
8) Cleaning & Janitorial Temp Work
Why it’s great: Malls, offices, and event venues need more cleaners during December and January. It’s straightforward work that can lead to longer contracts.
What you’ll do: Clean public areas, empty bins, restock supplies, and maintain hygiene standards.
Pay: Hourly or daily; some roles provide uniforms and cleaning equipment.
CV tip: Emphasise reliability, attention to detail, and willingness to learn.
Stand-out move: Arrive early, work neatly, and maintain good relationships with supervisors — reliability can get you rehired.
9) Temporary Admin / Data-Capture Assistant
Why it’s great: Offices, recruitment drives, and events need short-term help with paperwork and data entry.
What you’ll do: Capture customer or client data, handle basic filing, and assist with general office admin.
Pay: Usually hourly; training provided for specific systems.
CV tip: List computer literacy skills, neat handwriting, and attention to detail.
Stand-out move: Be accurate and professional — quality and reliability often lead to repeat opportunities.
10) Tourism / Guest Services (Front-of-House Seasonal Roles)
Why it’s great: South Africa’s tourist season peaks over the holidays. Guesthouses, hotels, and lodges hire extra front-desk and tour staff.
What you’ll do: Welcome guests, check them in, answer questions, and help with local recommendations.
Pay: Often hourly plus tips. Some employers include accommodation or meals.
CV tip: Emphasise communication, friendliness, and knowledge of your local area.
Stand-out move: Learn a few greetings in another language to impress international visitors.
Also check: 15 Companies Hiring People Without Experience This Festive Season
How to Make Your Application Stand Out
One-Page CV Essentials for Matrics
- Contact details: Full name, mobile, email, and suburb/town
- Objective: A short statement like “Matriculant seeking festive season work to gain experience and support future studies”
- Education: List your school and matric subjects
- Skills: Communication, teamwork, basic computer use, time management
- Achievements: Sports, prefect roles, community service
- References: Teacher, coach, or community leader with contact info
Interview Tips
- Be punctual and dress neatly
- Smile, maintain eye contact, and show enthusiasm
- Be flexible with working hours — weekends and holidays are busiest
- Learn about the company before your interview
- Prepare a short answer about why you want the job and what you’ll bring to the team
Read more: 10 Common Interview Questions for Seasonal Jobs (Updated October 2025)
Where to Look and Apply
Good places to search for festive jobs in South Africa include:
- Major job boards like Indeed, PNet, Adzuna, and LinkedIn
- The Nasi Ispani Career Portal, which lists Grade 12 jobs and seasonal opportunities across South Africa
- Retail and mall career pages for chains such as Checkers, Woolworths, and Mr Price
- Recruitment agencies that place short-term staff in warehouses and events
- Local community pages and Facebook job groups (always verify legitimacy before applying)
Apply early — many employers begin recruiting from late October for November starts.
Safety, Scams, and Contract Checks
Unfortunately, some fake job adverts appear online during the festive period. Protect yourself by:
- Never paying to apply for a job — legitimate employers don’t charge fees
- Asking for a written contract or letter that states pay rate, hours, and supervisor details
- Keeping copies of your contract and payslip
- Verifying that a recruitment agency is legitimate and registered
- Reporting suspicious adverts or scams to the Department of Employment and Labour or local police
If something feels off, trust your instincts and don’t hand over personal documents without confirming authenticity.
Read more: Top 50 Highest-Paying Entry-Level Jobs in South Africa Right Now
Using a Festive Job to Build a Career
A short-term festive job can open doors. Here’s how to make it count:
- Request a reference letter once your contract ends
- Keep records of tasks and achievements (e.g., “served 100 customers daily” or “handled cash transactions without errors”)
- Show initiative — employers often keep top seasonal staff for permanent roles
- Network with colleagues and supervisors; they may refer you later
- Add your festive job to your CV as verified experience
Many successful professionals began their careers in short-term holiday work. Treat it seriously, and it could be your first real step into the workforce.
The 2025 festive season is a golden opportunity for matrics to gain valuable experience, earn income, and build confidence. Whether you land a retail job, assist at an event, or pack parcels in a warehouse, every role helps you grow your work ethic, communication skills, and independence.