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Sweepsouth, South Africa’s leading home services platform, has launched Extra Care, a new in-home support service that provides flexible, personalised assistance for South Africans in need of care, while also creating more work opportunities and income for the company’s trusted caregiver workforce.
Extra Care builds on Sweepsouth’s successful Elder Care offering, extending it to cover a wide spectrum of needs including post-operative recovery, disability support, special needs care, companionship, and palliative comfort care. Customers can book once-off, repeat, or urgent same-day care, all provided by vetted, certified SweepStars (caregivers) with proven track records of reliability and compassion.
The launch represents a significant step in Sweepsouth’s mission to create dignified, sustainable work in South Africa. By broadening its care services beyond the elderly, the company is opening up thousands of additional booking opportunities for its caregivers, many of whom rely on Sweepsouth as their main source of income.
“We’re not just introducing a new service for customers. We’re also creating new income pathways through the gig economy,” says Lourandi Kriel, CEO of Sweepsouth. “By leveraging our existing Elder Care workforce, Extra Care enables us to offer workers more consistent, reliable bookings across a wider range of care needs. It’s a win-win: families get the trusted support they need, and caregivers earn more.”
The timing is critical. The UN forecasts that South Africa will reach “ageing population” status by 2030, with seniors accounting for 7% or more of the population – a trend that will increase demand for care services. Meanwhile, rising medical aid costs and limited access to affordable healthcare make in-home care a more viable option for families.
Why Extra Care matters:
● Job creation and income opportunities: Caregivers from Sweepsouth’s Elder Care pool gain access to more bookings without additional onboarding.
● Flexible support for families: Customers can arrange once-off, repeat, or urgent care with the option to choose and retain their preferred caregiver.
● Trusted workforce: Caregivers are certified and vetted through Sweepsouth’s robust selection process, with training from institutions including the South African Red Cross Society, Chilton, and TAAS Helping Hands.
● Personalised services: From mobility assistance and meal preparation to medication reminders and companionship, caregivers adapt to a wide range of needs.
“This is about dignity on both sides,” Kriel concludes. “Families receive care that helps them maintain independence, comfort, and peace of mind, while caregivers gain the security of more work and income. It strengthens the very fabric of the care economy in South Africa.”
By empowering cleaners to take on multiple or supplementary jobs, Sweepsouth is facilitating the employment of more people, in far less time, at a higher wage.