Impact on POV: Southern African Freelancers' Association (SAFREA)

With formal jobs hard to come by, freelancing has become a lifeline for many South Africans and a lifestyle choice for others who crave flexibility and independence.

The Southern African Freelancers' Association (SAFREA) is stepping up to support this growing community, offering mentoring, networking, and advocacy including a recent submission on government’s AI white paper. Whether freelancing full-time or juggling gigs on the side, creatives often face uncertainty and lack of recognition. SAFREA chairperson Nathi Gule joins Phemelo to unpack the state of freelancing in SA and why it's time to treat freelancers as professionals, not hobbyists.