Sell What You Have. Then Sell What Others Do not Want.
Unemployment is high, money is tight, and opportunities can feel out of reach. But what if your first business didn’t require capital, experience, or even a laptop? In this guide, you’ll learn how to start making money today using nothing more than your phone and items you already have at home. Reselling is one of the simplest ways to begin — and your first sale could happen sooner than you think.
"The easiest business in the world is selling something you already have — or something someone else no longer wants."
Welcome to Day 1. No capital. No experience. No laptop. Just your phone and the willingness to take one small action today.
Today's skill is reselling. Most people have heard of it. Very few have actually done it. Today you will.
WHAT IS RESELLING?
You buy something at a low price and sell it at a higher price. You are the middleman between someone who wants to get rid of something and someone who wants to buy it. You keep the difference.
No shop. No business registration. No money upfront — if you start with your own stuff.
WHY THIS WORKS IN SOUTH AFRICA RIGHT NOW
Facebook Marketplace has millions of South African users browsing for second-hand deals every single day. Inflation and the rising cost of living have pushed more people toward affordable used goods. The demand is already there. You just need to show up with supply.
WHERE TO SELL — ALL FREE
| Facebook Marketplace Biggest free local platform in SA. Works on any phone with the Facebook app. Free to list. | Facebook Marketplace |
| Gumtree SA Popular in major cities. Great for electronics, clothing, and general goods. | Gumtree |
| Junk Mail SA's most trusted classifieds. Best for furniture and appliances. | Junk mail |
| WhatsApp community groups Search "buy and sell [your area]" on Facebook to find local groups. High trust. Cash in hand, same day. No extra app needed. |
YOUR STEP-BY-STEP ACTION PLAN
1. Walk through your home right now
Find 5 things you haven't used in 6 months. Old clothes, a spare charger, books, shoes, kitchenware. If you haven't touched it in 6 months, someone will pay for it.
2. Take clean, bright photos
Stand near a window. Use natural daylight — it makes everything look better. Take 3 to 4 photos per item from different angles. Clean the item first. Good photos are the difference between a sale and no sale.
3. Research your price
Search for the same item on Marketplace or Gumtree. Price yours 10 to 20% lower so yours sells first. Speed beats maximum profit when you're starting out.
4. Write an honest, clear description
Include: what it is, its condition, any defects, your general area, and that collection is preferred. Honesty builds trust and avoids wasted trips.
5. List it — then go find more stock
Once your own items are listed, offer to sell neighbours' or family's unwanted things for a 20 to 30% commission. You list it, you sell it, you keep your cut. No cash needed upfront.
6. Scale up: buy cheap, sell higher
Once you have savings, visit Marabastad (Pretoria), Warwick (Durban), Sydenham Road (JHB), or your nearest China Mall. Buy in bulk at low prices, sell individually at a profit. This is where real income begins.
WHAT YOU CAN REALISTICALLY EARN
| R200 – R500 Selling your own stuff in the first week | R1,000 – R3,000 Buying and reselling per month | R5,000+ Running a full resell operation |
FREE LEARNING RESOURCES
| How to sell on Facebook Marketplace SA YouTube — free step-by-step video guides | Video |
| Gumtree seller help guide Tips on listings, pricing, and staying safe | Guide |
| Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator Free SA platform for youth entrepreneurship | Harambee |
SEDA — Small Enterprise Development Agency Free government support for small businesses | SEDA |
YOUR ONE ACTION FOR TODAY
Before you close this post — find one item in your home you no longer use. Photograph it. List it on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. One item. One listing. Today. That is all.
⚠ SAFETY FIRST
Always meet buyers in public — outside a Spar, a filling station, or a police station. Never invite a stranger into your home for a first transaction. Use SnapScan, Ozow, or EFT instead of cash where possible. Your safety is worth more than any sale.
DID IT WORK FOR YOU?
We want to hear from you. Drop a comment below and tell us:
— What did you list?
— Did anyone message you?
— How much did you make on your first sale?
Your story might be exactly what another young person needs to read to take their first step. Don't keep your win to yourself — share it.
KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS THIS?
Share this post with one person today. A friend. A sibling. A cousin who's been struggling to find work. You don't need to say anything fancy — just send the link and say "read this."
Every person who reads this and takes action is one less person sitting at home wondering what their next move is. That share costs you nothing and could change everything for someone else.