In a country where landing a job often feels like finding a needle in a haystack, one South African startup is stepping up with a fresh solution.

Enter Spaan—a locally developed employment platform designed specifically for South African job seekers and businesses, with a key focus on verification and credibility.

Launched on 10 June in Rosebank, Johannesburg, founder Afika Nontso unveiled how this new tool hopes to revolutionize the way South Africans find work and how companies find talent.

So, How Exactly Does Spaan Work?

At its core, Spaan is all about connecting real job seekers with real employers—but with a twist.

Both parties must go through verification to make sure everyone’s legit.

“If you’re a job seeker, we can verify key documents like your ID or driver’s licence. If you’re a company, we verify things like your CIPC registration,” said Nontso.

Everything runs smoothly on Spaan’s platform, offering secure and verified connections only.

Setting Up a Profile? Easy and Free

Job seekers can create a free profile, just like on any other job platform.

They can input their work experience, pick job preferences, add reference numbers, and choose preferred work locations.

Once the profile is set, users can upload documents and pay a small fee for verification services if they want to stand out more.

What’s the ‘Spaan Report’?

One of Spaan’s standout features is the Spaan Report.

It’s like a digital résumé that proves you’ve been verified.

Whether it’s your ID, driver’s license, or matric certificate, it gets compiled into a document that speaks for you—even outside of the Spaan platform.

“This is your voice to the employer,” Nontso explained.

“It tells them right away that you’re legit.”

Employers can also create verified profiles, list real job opportunities, connect with job seekers, and even generate reports of potential hires to build future talent pools.

What Makes Spaan Different From Other Platforms?

Sure, there are platforms like LinkedIn, PNet, or Gradesmatch, but Spaan is playing a different game.

For starters, it’s verification-led and inclusive.

It works across both the formal and informal job markets, making it ideal for everything from corporate gigs to trades and service roles.

Plus, it’s accessible via WhatsApp, USSD, and web—so even those with limited internet access aren’t left out.

Spaan’s Trusted Verification Partner

To keep things professional and secure, Spaan has teamed up with Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE), a well-known verification company.

All background checks and document confirmations go through MIE, ensuring everything on the platform meets high standards.

Want to Try It Out?

If you’re curious about Spaan or want to jump right in, you can connect through:

Their WhatsApp bot
Or dial *120*77226# from your phone
You can also find them on all major social media platforms

Will Spaan Really Make a Difference?

With unemployment at record highs and job scams on the rise, a platform like Spaan might be just what South Africa needs.

By putting trust and transparency first, it could bridge the gap between opportunity and access.

So, what do you think? Could Spaan become the go-to platform for job seekers and employers across the country?