By Zisanda Mnyombolo & Sikhulule Moyeni
With scarce jobs and a sluggish economy, young South Africans are frequently exhorted to start businesses or find gig work. These ‘side hustles’ provide much-needed cash for transport, food, rent, tuition or data. But the pressure of hustle and grind is taking a toll on youth mental and emotional wellbeing, leaving many overwhelmed and anxious before they even enter formal employment.
UNISA senior lecturer, Dr Sizile Makola says side hustlers and gig workers are stressed by financial instability and long working hours, which may lead to burnout, anxiety, and emotional strain, especially if they lack support systems and skills.
Stress may be even worse when side hustles are combined with studying, job hunting, family responsibilities, and unstable income.
Entrepreneurship and youth development mentor, Nkemeleng Mokoaleli has studied hustle culture trend for the past three years. She worries that social media narratives by side hustlers are dangerous. She says they often ignore the dark side of hustle culture or portray depressive symptoms, poor sleep and loneliness as normal. Mokoaleli says social media has encouraged more young people to enter the gig economy by showing them what is possible. At the same time, it can make success look easier and quicker than it really is.
Mokoaleli, who is also a certified International Labour Organisation small business trainer, says social media ramps up the pressure. TikTok shows other young people starting businesses, buying cars, travelling, or building brands from their phones. While these messages can inspire, constant self-comparison with others can also create a sense of being left behind as others move ahead. If not managed, it can ruin relationships, confidence, and overall well-being.
Thando’s ‘ride or die’
23-year-old Thando Nkosi has a bunch of gig jobs. He delivers food, does courier driving, and handles social media marketing projects.
For Nkosi, gig work was the easiest way to earn quick money without formal qualifications.
“Young people today are pressured to monetise their hobbies, take on side gigs and constantly ‘prove’ their worth in a challenging economy,” he says.
Nkosi suffers from physical and mental burnout. Long hours on busy and unsafe roads leave him tired, but the uncertainty of gig work also affects his sleep and stress levels.
“It’s not only physically tiring, but also being on the bike for hours and hours. I experience stress and anxiety every time it’s a slow month or week because I just know it means no proper meals or a shortage of rent.”
“It is difficult to sleep when I am concerned about whether I will earn enough to cover the week’s costs. And you just often get overwhelmed because when my motorbike breaks down, I have no income until it’s fixed,” Nkosi says.
Burnout can show up as constant fatigue, demotivation, trouble focusing, irritability, frustration, overwhelm, and failing or underperforming in business, work or relationships.
These warning signs should be taken seriously, but hustle culture often treats them as normal. This makes the dangers of overwork central to the pressure many young people face.
For Nkosi, the pressure is practical. Time is money. When he rests, he risks losing income.
“I know it’s not healthy, but living in this country demands it. I want to get into other streams of income so that I can open room to prioritise my health. But for now, this pays my bills,” he says.
No letting her hair down
For many student entrepreneurs and young hustlers, that pressure follows them everywhere. Work and rest often overlap, making work-life balance impossible.
University of Johannesburg student Bukho Klaas (21) started her hairdressing gig in her university residence, turning a passion into income.
“As a student entrepreneur, I do not have a rented salon space, so I use my room as a working area when attending to clients. This allows me to keep my operating costs low,” she says.
She says that her side hustle significantly impacted her personal life because she works from Friday to Sunday, when all her fellow students and friends are resting and socialising
“I barely sleep, but I need to make money for tuition and living expenses. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth the stress,” Klaas admits.
“There’s always this pressure to do more because resting feels like failing,” she says.
Klaas realised she struggled with boundaries between her business, personal life and studies. “I’m slowly learning to say ‘no’ sometimes and protect my study time, but it’s still hard for me, and I don’t always get it right,” she says.
Online support for young hustlers
Some young people have found support in online communities, where they share their struggles and coping methods and look for ways to manage the pressure of being an entrepreneur.
While others find comfort in peer support groups, where young professionals talk about how to cope with stress and avoid burnout.
“Talking to people who understand the struggle makes a huge difference,” says Thandile Mkhathali, who works as a freelance graphic designer.
Solutions and support
Dr Makola recommends using both learned coping skills and support systems to survive the burnout from hustle culture. This means learning problem-solving, planning, self-care, mindfulness, and reaching out for support, as well as tapping into these broader support systems such as counselling, financial advice, business training, mentorship, and peer networks.
Mokoaleli advises setting realistic goals, managing time effectively, focusing on what matters most, and taking regular breaks to succeed without harming your well-being. She also suggests avoiding self-comparison on social media and seeking advice from mentors and experienced professionals.
Young people should not feel ashamed for wanting more. Their ambition, creativity, and resilience are important. But they need not give up their mental health to achieve their goals.
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