Food

Braai stand or small shisanyama

Braai and sell meat, wors, chicken and pap at weekends, events or a fixed spot, either selling meat by the plate or braaiing what customers buy.

Thin evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

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Is this for you?

Best for

People who love braaiing, have a good spot and can handle long weekend hours and cash safely.

In South Africa: Strong in townships and towns.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 10 hours a week · age 18+
  • Cooking & baking (learning or better) or Practical/hands-on work (learning or better)

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

No reliable SA figure yet

We found no published South African price list we trust for this, so we do not quote a rand figure. Ask three sellers near you what they charge before you set yours.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R2 000 to R15 000
Every month
Meat, charcoal or wood, spices, pap, packaging.
Payment fees
Cash, QR codes, card machine.
Margin
Meat prices move, so check your plate price often.

How it is paid: Plates and per-kilo meat with a mark-up. Our viability score for it: 58 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Price a plate including meat, pap, fuel and packaging
    • Sell one weekend on pre-orders first
    • Success signal: three weekends in a row with profit after all costs

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Cost three plate options
    • Ask a local butchery about bulk prices
    • Check permit and Certificate of Acceptability rules
    • Get a fire extinguisher and cooler boxes

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Trade four weekends and record sales per plate
    • Take WhatsApp pre-orders for Saturday

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Book events and sports days
    • Agree a regular supply price with one butchery

First sales come on your first weekend. First income usually takes 3 to 45 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Braai stand or small shisanyama: your step-by-step start

19 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Weekend crowds, sports fans, families and workers.

Ready braaied food and a place to gather.

Is there demand?

Shisanyamas are a familiar part of township weekends, but we found no published prices or takings we trust, so we do not quote any. Ask sellers near you.

Weekend stand at your gateEvents and sports daysNext to a butcheryTaverns that allow food vendors

Getting customers

The smell of the braai, word of mouth and WhatsApp pre-orders for weekends.

Word of mouth and referralsResponding to enquiriesIn-person networking

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Raw meat in the heat: keep it cold until it goes on the fire
  • Fire safety near homes and children
  • Selling alcohol needs a liquor licence: keep to food unless licensed

Competition: Moderate; quality and atmosphere win.

Room to grow: Grows with a fixed spot and event bookings.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Selling food from home or a stall needs a Certificate of Acceptability from your municipality's environmental health office (food hygiene regulations R638).
  • Keep food covered, hands washed, raw and cooked food apart, and cold food cold.
  • If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions).
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).
  • Selling alcohol needs a provincial liquor licence.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start braai stand or small shisanyama in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R2 000 to R15 000. Recurring costs: Meat, charcoal or wood, spices, pap, packaging.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 14 days, and between 3 and 45 days. First sales come on your first weekend.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Selling food from home or a stall needs a Certificate of Acceptability from your municipality's environmental health office (food hygiene regulations R638). Keep food covered, hands washed, raw and cooked food apart, and cold food cold. If customers come to your home, check your municipality's home-business rules (Cape Town, for example, allows small home businesses with conditions). Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs). Selling alcohol needs a provincial liquor licence.

Sources (3)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy