VulaMarket launches free online marketplace for South African traders and job seekers

New Platform Offers Free Alternative for Local Buying and Selling

A new South African marketplace called VulaMarket has launched with the aim of making online trade accessible to individuals and small businesses without fees or commission. The platform, which went live in September 2025, is based in Springs, Gauteng, and is available nationally. It can be accessed at http://vulamarket.co.za.

Addressing a Gap in the Informal Economy

VulaMarket was developed after identifying that many people who sell products or offer services in their communities do not have a simple, free way to reach buyers online. This includes sellers of fresh produce, second-hand goods, beauty services, tutoring, plumbing and other everyday services.
Existing options often require monthly subscriptions or charge commission on each sale. VulaMarket does not charge sellers to list and does not take commission. Buyers contact sellers directly.

How the Platform Works

Users can create a free account and post listings with a photo, price, location and description. Listings are organized into categories including goods for sale, services, jobs and community notices.
Each listing is location-based, allowing buyers to find items and services near them. Listings expire after a period to keep search results relevant and up to date. The platform is designed to be usable on low-end smartphones and does not require formal business registration. A person can list items as an individual.
*Focus on Jobs and Services*
In addition to physical goods, the platform allows users to post job opportunities and offer their skills. This includes part-time work, domestic work, tutoring and other services that are commonly shared through social media groups.
The founder said the goal is to support everyday trade.
“The idea came from watching how people in the township hustle every day to make a living. They have products and skills, but no free place to advertise them. We wanted to build a simple tool that lets anyone open a small online shop in minutes,” said the founder of VulaMarket.

Future Plans

The team plans to add improved search by town and features to help service providers manage bookings.
VulaMarket is privately owned and operated from South Africa.

About VulaMarket

VulaMarket is a free online marketplace for South Africa. It enables individuals and small businesses to buy and sell goods, offer services, post jobs and find work. The platform was launched in 2025. More information is available at https://vulamarket.co.za.