South Africa is a country of amazing cultural and natural diversity, where the population shares a staggering 11 official languages and the landscape shifts from dry desert to rolling hillsides and tropical coastline.

The ‘Rainbow Nation’ has a famously troubled past but nowadays it is a fascinating and welcoming destination to volunteer overseas.

While South Africa continues to grow as a tourist destination, the end of apartheid has not signalled the end of the nation’s troubles. High unemployment and social inequality continue to affect living standards and HIV/AIDS has orphaned an estimated 1,200,000 children. In these circumstances, international volunteer work can make a real difference.

South African wildlife also faces a challenging future. The expansion of human activities has caused significant damage to numerous ecosystems, which in turn has threatened some of the continent’s most celebrated wildlife. Volunteer conservation projects are now vital to the protection of natural habitats.

As a volunteer in South Africa you can contribute to a range of worthy causes. Inspire has community projects in the winelands region of the Western Cape, where volunteers can support childcare, teaching and women’s empowerment programmes aimed at helping poor farming communities. You can also work on our Africa volunteer conservation project based on a Big Five game reserve.

Conservation

Conservation
Work as a research assistant on a Big Five game reserve and enjoy a unique Africa volunteering experience! Get up close and personal with dangerous and endangered animals, supporting an important volunteer conservation project in Welgevonden.

Research wildlife on a Big Five game reserve in South Africa

Teaching

Teaching
Education is essential to breaking the poverty cycle that affects many rural South African families. Volunteer overseas with Inspire and teach children from poor farming communities living on the outskirts of Cape Town.

Community development in South Africa

Childcare

Childcare
Unemployment and alcoholism cause a range of child welfare issues in the Western Cape. Volunteer in South Africa and work at a local community project, teaching, entertaining and caring for children from underprivileged backgrounds.

Community development in South Africa

Community

Community
Women of the Western Cape struggle against issues of poverty, illiteracy, dependency and inequality. By teaching, mentoring and supporting marginalised women, international volunteer work can help empower local women and brighten their future.

Community development in South Africa