Interpreting

Interpreting in South Africa

Updated 4 November 2026

Interpreting in South Africa usually costs from R 1,000 to R 2,000 or more per hour, and half-day or full-day bookings are quoted as separate prices. The final figure depends on the language pair, the subject, the length of the session and whether the interpreter has to travel. To get a current quote for your date and city, send a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Local rules and what to check

Court interpreting training at university level asks for matric or NQF level 4, so ask a potential interpreter about their training and whether they are accredited by the South African Translators' Institute. If your matter is heard at the CCMA, the labour dispute body, you can request an interpreter there at no cost, so check that before you pay anyone for the same hearing.

Season and timing

South Africa is in the southern hemisphere, so summer runs from December to February and winter from June to August. A request sent in November is for the summer months, so send it early if your event falls in December or January, when you need time to compare quotes and confirm dates.

How interpreting is bought here

Interpreters charge by the hour, by the half day or by the full day, and providers price each session according to the booking. Remote sessions avoid travel costs; one provider estimates that clients save about R 350 per day of travel. Some sign language interpreting quotes are stated exclusive of VAT, so ask for the total before you book. Sessions in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and Gqeberha can be on site or online.

What to write in your request

Name the language pair, the type of interpreting (consecutive, simultaneous or remote), the subject, the date, the start and end time, the venue or online platform and the city. Providers need the full length of the session, because a two-hour meeting and a full day are quoted differently. Say what budget you have, so that the interpreter can suggest a suitable option.

On BlaBlaPrice you describe the job in your own words in a chat, and the AI asks for any missing details such as the language pair and date. It then looks through interpreting providers' websites and price lists in South Africa and shows the prices and businesses it found. Interpreters and agencies registered on BlaBlaPrice receive your request and answer in the chat with their own price and terms. Your contact details stay hidden until you decide with whom to exchange them. If you need written work as well, see Translation & typing services, or go back to the request form on the home page.