The festive season is officially here and so is the urge to spend. Whether you are saving up for next year’s tuition, need cash for a new phone or just want to stop asking your parents for airtime, December is the perfect time to activate your inner entrepreneur.
Forget the myth that you need massive capital or a degree to earn money. In the spirit of the #KeDezemba hustle, your best assets are your skills, your network, and your smartphone.
The Young Observer breaks down the best ways for students and young Namibians to secure that holiday cash, categorized by where the work happens: The real world and the digital realm.
1. The real world hustle: service & sales
These opportunities rely on the high demand for services and goods during the busy holiday period in Windhoek and local towns. Your customers are already looking for help so you do not need to find a market by yourself.
The home & community service crew
This sector thrives on people being busy, traveling, or needing extra hands around the house. It requires trust, reliability, and excellent time management.
| Hustle Idea | What You Do | Why It Works Now | Start-up Cost |
| Pet & House Sitter | Care for animals (dog walking, feeding) or house-sit for families traveling during the holidays. | Many Namibians travel to the coast or visit family outside of town and need reliable, trustworthy care for their homes and pets. | Very Low (Time, walking shoes) |
| The Festive Fixer (Home Help) | Offer basic services like gardening, car washing/detailing, window cleaning, or painting small areas. | Everyone wants their home looking perfect for holiday guests. You can easily charge per task or per hour. | Low (Cleaning supplies, bucket) |
| Personal Assistant / Errands Runner | Help busy professionals or older relatives with shopping, filing, basic administrative work, or running errands before the year closes. | Businesses need extra temp help to finalise year-end tasks, and families need last-minute shopping done. This requires organization and discretion. | Minimal (Data/Airtime) |
Pro Tip: Start by targeting your immediate neighbourhood or social network. Word-of-mouth is the best currency for trust-based services. Offer a ‘Festive Discount’ for your first three clients.
The holiday retail & hospitality hunt
While many positions are filled early, there are often last-minute opportunities at shops and restaurants. This option gives you valuable work experience for your CV.
- Retail casuals: December is the busiest month for most shops and supermarkets (especially clothing, gadgets, and groceries). Approach stores like Shoprite, Model, and independent boutiques directly, CV in hand, and ask for a “December casual” position. Most retail managers advise applying as early as October, but sudden staff shortages happen right up until Christmas.
- Waitering/catering staff: Restaurants, cafes, and lodges (especially those around popular tourist routes or the coast) ramp up staff for the tourist influx and office parties. Even if you’ve never waited tables, your enthusiasm and willingness to learn can land you a gig.
2. The digital hustle: Skills and smart phones
If you have a laptop, a smartphone, and a data bundle, the world is your marketplace. These ideas use the high demand for digital content and convenience.
The digital creator & assistant
Gen Z has skills older generations are willing to pay for: tech fluency, social media savviness and content creation.
| Hustle Idea | What You Do | Why It Works Now | Estimated Earnings (Local) |
| User-Generated Content (UGC) Creator | Create short, honest, high-quality videos (TikTok/Instagram style) reviewing or demonstrating products for local businesses. | Brands need constant video content but hate the effort. You create the ads; they pay you to use them. No massive follower count needed—just quality. | N$400 – N$2,000 per video |
| Social Media Manager (SMM) Lite | Manage the social accounts for a small local business (a bakery, a mechanic, a boutique) that is too busy to post in December. | Businesses need to stay visible during the rush. You handle posting, responding to comments, and designing simple graphics. | N$800 – N$1,500 per month (per client) |
| Online Tutor (Exam Prep) | Offer short, intensive online tutoring sessions to younger students who failed specific subjects or are preparing for supplementary exams early next year. | Demand for academic help is high immediately after exams. Use Zoom, Google Meet, or WhatsApp video to teach. | Varies (N$50 – N$150 per hour) |
The resale and quick-cash game
This involves leveraging local platforms (WhatsApp groups, Facebook Marketplace Namibia) to move goods or earn small payments.
- Reselling data & airtime: Some platforms allow young people to buy data or airtime bundles in bulk and resell them at a small profit in their community or through dedicated WhatsApp groups. It’s low-capital and high-turnover.
- Flipping pre-owned goods: Buy items cheaply (e.g., from thrift stores, yard sales, or Facebook Marketplace) and “flip” them for a profit after cleaning, repairing, or styling them. Popular items include vintage clothing, small electronics, or furniture.
- Online surveys and microtasks: Use platforms like SagaPoll or other international microtask sites (checking for regional payment methods). While they won’t make you rich, they provide small, consistent income you can earn while relaxing on the couch.
3. The success blueprint: Get hired
Getting a holiday job requires more than just saying you want one. Follow this quick blueprint to maximize your chances:
- Prep your CV: Keep it concise (one page if possible). Highlight your skills (e.g., punctuality, fast learner, excellent communication, good team member) even if you lack formal experience. Get a parent or teacher to check it.
- Hit the streets: Don’t just send emails. Print copies and physically deliver them. Seeing your polite, energetic face makes a better impression than a generic email. Ask to speak to the manager directly.
- Harness your network: Post a concise, professional message on your WhatsApp status and Facebook asking your network if anyone needs help. E.g., “Student on holiday break offering babysitting, tutoring, or admin assistance in Windhoek/Swakopmund. Message me for rates!”
- Know your value: If you are offering a service (like car washing or tutoring), set a fair price and stick to it. Don’t undersell your time or your skills.
The holiday hustle is about combining your desire for cash with the needs of your community. Choose the hustle that uses your natural talents—be reliable, be professional, and you’ll end the year with cash in your pocket and a valuable experience on your CV.
