Hire a Translator in South Africa
With so many official languages in South Africa, a good translation needs a writer who knows the language and the audience, not only the dictionary. FreelanceLocals lists more than 15 South African translators working between English and languages such as Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa. Contact them directly, or post a free brief - both are free.
What a translator costs in South Africa
Typical rate
R180 per deliverable
Median of 13 listings priced per deliverable
Middle half of listings
R8 to R500
Most common pricing
Per deliverable: 13 of 20 priced listings. 7 charge per hour.
Figures from FreelanceLocals listings, October 2026. These are starting prices set by each freelancer. Some listings price per word or per page, so low figures are normal and the total depends on your document's length.
See rates for every serviceHow to hire on FreelanceLocals
1
Browse or brief
Look through the freelancers above, or post a free brief that says what you need, when you need it and your budget.
2
Compare and contact
Check each freelancer's starting price, experience and description, then contact the ones that suit your budget.
3
Agree the scope
Settle what you will receive, the timeline and how payment works in writing before work starts. FreelanceLocals does not check freelancers' credentials, so look at their examples first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a translator cost in South Africa?
On FreelanceLocals the median starting price is R180 per deliverable, from 13 listings priced that way (October 2026). Half of those listings start between R8 and R500. Because some translators charge per word or per page, work out your document's length first and ask for a total quote. Freelancers set their own prices, so compare several and ask what is included.
How do I hire a translator in South Africa?
Browse the listings and contact translators directly, or post a free brief. State the language pair, the type of document, the word count or page count and your deadline, and translators reply with a quote and delivery date.
What does a translator do?
They convert your text from one language into another while keeping the meaning and tone. Some listings also offer interpreting. Ask whether proofreading, formatting and a second read of the finished text are included in the price.
How long does a translation take?
It depends on length and subject matter. A short document may be ready within a day or two, while a long technical text takes longer. Send the file or word count with your brief and confirm the delivery date before work starts.
Does FreelanceLocals check translators' credentials or certification?
No. Any claim to be a sworn or certified translator is the translator's own, and FreelanceLocals does not check qualifications. If you need a sworn translation for a court, embassy or government office, ask for proof of registration and confirm with the receiving body what it accepts.
