Choosing the right career is one of the most important decisions anyone can make. In South Africa, where unemployment rates remain high, industries are shifting, and technology is rapidly reshaping the job landscape, the wrong career choice can lead to years of struggle, low pay, and limited opportunities.

This article breaks down five of the worst careers to follow in South Africa today, based on:

• Declining demand
• Low earning potential
• Automation risks
• Industry instability
• Limited growth opportunities

The goal is not to shame any profession. Instead, the purpose is to give you realistic career guidance, so you can avoid dead-end paths and focus on fields that offer stability, growth, and long-term earnings.

This detailed 2000+ word breakdown can help students, job seekers, and parents navigate South Africa’s tough job market.

1. Cashiers – A Career Being Replaced by Automation

Why It’s One of the Worst Careers

The role of a cashier is declining fast in South Africa. Major retailers like Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Shoprite, and Checkers are rapidly adopting self‑checkout systems, mobile payment systems, and automated tills.

Main Problems With the Career

• Low salary: Cashiers earn between R3 500 and R6 000 monthly in most retail stores.
• High replacement risk: Automation will remove most cashier jobs within the next decade.
• Repetitive and physically demanding: Long hours standing, handling cash, and dealing with customers.
• Little to no growth: It’s extremely rare for cashiers to be promoted into management without additional qualifications.
• Shift work: Weekends, holidays, and long working hours.

Future Outlook

Retail is becoming more digital, cashless, and automated. The number of cashiers required will continue to drop.

Better Alternatives

If you enjoy retail or customer service, consider:

• Retail sales representative
• E-commerce assistant
• Inventory controller
• Digital payments support agent

These careers involve the future of retail – not the past.

2. Call Centre Agent – High Stress, Low Pay, High Burnout

Why It’s One of the Worst Careers

Call centre jobs are easy to get, but they are also extremely stressful and often poorly paid. Many South Africans take call centre roles out of desperation, not because they offer long-term prospects.

Main Problems With the Career

• Highly stressful environment: Constant performance monitoring, strict targets, angry customers.
• Low salaries: Average between R5 000 – R8 000 for entry-level agents.
• Limited career growth: Very few become supervisors or managers.
• High turnover: Most people quit within 12-18 months.
• Risk of outsourcing: Many call centres are moving work to AI chatbots and automated systems.

Future Outlook

AI is rapidly replacing basic customer service tasks. While call centres will not disappear completely, demand for human call agents will drop significantly.

Better Alternatives

If you prefer communication-based careers, shift toward:

• Customer success specialist
• Social media community manager
• Technical support specialist (IT)
• Sales development representative (SDR)

These pay better and offer real upward mobility.

3. Traditional Journalism – A Dying Profession

Why It’s One of the Worst Careers in SA

Newsrooms in South Africa are shrinking. Print media is collapsing. Most newspapers have downsized or closed altogether, and online media pays extremely poorly.

Major Challenges

• Low salaries: New journalists often earn R6 000 – R10 000.
• Declining job availability: Fewer newsrooms, fewer editors, fewer openings.
• High competition: Thousands of graduates, very few jobs.
• Digital disruption: AI-generated news, social media influencers, and automated reporting tools.
• Job insecurity: Media houses frequently retrench.

Future Outlook

Journalism will always exist – but full-time journalism jobs are disappearing. Freelancing is becoming the norm, but pay remains unstable.

Better Alternatives

If you love writing or storytelling, consider:

• Content creation
• Copywriting
• Digital marketing
• SEO writing
• Brand storytelling

These fields pay more and allow you to build your own brand.

4. Security Guard – High Risk, Low Reward

Why It’s One of the Worst Careers

The private security industry is huge in South Africa – but not because it’s a great career. It’s huge because crime is high. Unfortunately, the industry is known for low wages and dangerous working conditions.

Major Problems

• Very low pay: Many earn between R3 000 – R5 000.
• High risk: Exposure to armed robberies, assaults, and dangerous environments.
• Long hours: 12-hour shifts are common.
• Limited growth: Most remain guards forever.
• Poor benefits: Little medical aid, often no pension, and limited protection.

Future Outlook

Security will always be needed in South Africa, but pay will remain low due to oversupply. Many companies prefer younger, cheaper guards, so older workers struggle.

Better Alternatives

If security is something you’re passionate about, consider:

• CCTV technician
• Cybersecurity (one of the highest-paying fields)
• Security systems installer
• Private investigations assistant
• Control room operator

These options pay better and involve more technical skills.

5. Taxi Driver (Metred or Minibus) – Unstable, Dangerous and Low-Paying

Why It’s Among the Worst

Driving taxis – whether minibus taxis or meter taxis – has become increasingly risky and unstable.

Main Issues

• High risk and danger: Taxi violence, hijackings, road accidents.
• Low pay: Most drivers are paid per trip, often earning between R4 000 – R7 000.
• Long working hours: 12–16 hours on the road.
• Competition from Uber, Bolt, and e-hailing.
• No benefits: No medical aid, pension, or job security.
• Growing regulation pressure: Government crackdowns on illegal routes and unlicensed vehicles.

Future Outlook

Minibus taxis will remain important in SA, but the industry remains unsafe, highly competitive, and financially unstable. E-hailing is also being disrupted by pricing wars and rising fuel costs.

Better Alternatives

If you enjoy driving or transport, explore:

• Logistics and courier driving
• Code 14 truck driving (much better pay, up to R25 000+)
• Fleet management
• Transportation coordination (office-based)

These careers offer structure, stability, and better pay.

Why These 5 Careers Made the List

These jobs share several characteristics that make them risky choices in today’s South African economy:

1. Low salaries

Most careers listed pay below the national average.

2. No future growth

There is almost no upward mobility.

3. High competition

Too many people, too few jobs.

4. Automation threats

AI, robotics, and digital systems are replacing human labour.

5. Industry instability

Sectors like journalism and security operate under constant pressure.

What Careers Should South Africans Be Following Instead?

Here are some of the top future-proof careers with high demand and good salaries:

Technology & IT

• Software developer
• Cybersecurity analyst
• Cloud computing specialist
• Data analyst

Finance & Business

• Financial advisor
• Accountant
• Business analyst
• Project manager

Engineering & Skilled Trades

• Electrical artisan
• Solar panel technician
• Mechanical fitter
• Civil engineering technician

Creative & Digital

• Content creator
• Graphic designer
• Social media manager
• UX/UI designer

Medical & Health

• Nursing
• Occupational therapy
• Laboratory assistant
• Pharmacy technician

These careers offer stability, demand, and growth opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the wrong career can trap a person in financial struggle for decades. South Africa’s economy rewards skills that are scarce, tech-driven, or specialised. Unfortunately, the five careers listed above – cashier, call centre agent, journalist, security guard, and taxi driver – offer limited futures.

Instead, students and job seekers should focus on industries that pay well, are growing, and are aligned with global trends.