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By Palesa Matlala
- The 22-year-old charges R200 per client and spends R32 on taxi fare for a return trip to Johannesburg CBD.
- She creates TikTok videos from Small Street shops where many stores do not have card machines.
Anele Masondo, 22, walks through Johannesburg CBD with her phone in hand, filming shoes, clothes and handbags for clients.
She works as a personal shopper to support herself while studying cyber security part time.
Masondo told Scrolla.Africa she started by selling ice cream and sweets at the beginning of Summer 2025.
She later noticed a gap during her cousin’s wedding preparations. She often visited clothing shops on Small Street.
“Small Street sells beautiful clothes for both genders but people don’t want to go to the CBD because of the high crime rate,” she said.
Masondo charges each client R200 for her service. She spends R32 on a return taxi trip.
In a week she makes about R800. In a month she earns up to R3,200.
“I don’t have an income and have to buy myself basic things like sanitary pads, toiletries and attend my classes. This money keeps me going as a student,” she said.
She posts videos on TikTok. Clients choose what they want and pay her to deliver.
“Young women don’t have the time to go shopping, especially in the CBD. They choose what they like and pay me to deliver,” she said.
“This has been one of the easiest ways to earn an honest living,” she added.
But the job carries risks.
Masondo uses cash because many Small Street shops do not have card machines. She said this puts her at risk of being robbed.
Research shows personal shoppers are becoming more popular in Johannesburg. High unemployment and demand for affordable fashion are driving the trend.
Pictured above: Johannesburg CBD.
Image source: Pexels
