Trusted by founders, executives, and growing teams — every placement built for long-term success, not quick fixes.

South Africa-based remote talent
For businesses & executives

Find exceptional support — without the hiring headache.

We connect you with high-calibre Executive Assistants, Virtual Assistants, Administrators, and Project Managers — carefully matched to your business, your pace, and your standards.

For support professionals

Work with people who value what you do.

We place skilled support professionals into roles where they're trusted, supported, and set up to succeed — with clients who understand your worth.

Why Kulana

We're selective — so you don't waste time.

Every candidate is carefully vetted for skill, reliability, and cultural fit. No endless CVs. No guesswork. Just high-calibre professionals who can step in and make an immediate impact.

How we vet talent →
For talent

We connect you with roles that respect your value.

We work with clients who understand the impact of great support. That means better opportunities, clearer expectations, and roles where you can actually thrive.

Explore opportunities →
What we place

Specialist support, matched with precision.

We don't believe in one-size-fits-all hiring. Each role is carefully defined and intentionally matched to your needs. Kulana — to grow — because the right match grows everyone.

Insights

From the Kulana blog.

Practical insight for businesses building great support teams — and for the professionals who power them.

For clients
How to know when you're ready to hire an EA

The signs are usually there long before you act on them. Here's how to know when it's time.

Read more →
For talent
What remote EAs actually need to succeed

Beyond a good laptop and fast Wi-Fi — the habits and setups that make remote support work well.

Read more →
For clients
The difference between a PA and a VA — and why it matters

They're not the same role. Hiring the wrong one costs time and money. Here's how to choose.

Read more →
View all articles

Together, further.

Kulana — to grow

When the right support professional meets the right business, both grow. That's not a tagline — it's the belief we build every placement around.

Our story
South Africa-based remote professionals
For businesses & executives

The right person.
Every time.

Great businesses run on great support. We find yours — carefully vetted, precisely matched, and ready to make an immediate impact.

Submit a hiring brief
How it works

Simple. Thorough. Seamless.

A proven process that finds the right person — and supports you both long after placement.

01
Brief us

Tell us about the role, your business, your working style and what success looks like to you.

02
We match

We search our vetted network for candidates matched on skill, reliability, cultural fit — not just availability.

03
You meet

We present a shortlist of 2–3 high-calibre candidates. You interview, you decide. No filler names.

04
We support

We don't disappear after placement. Structured check-ins at 30, 60 and 90 days — with a replacement guarantee if needed.

30 · 60 · 90 day check-ins
Roles we place

Five specialist roles.

Every candidate is South Africa-based, remote-ready, and rigorously screened before we present them to you.

Pricing

Transparent. Simple.

No hidden fees. No surprises. Every placement is scoped to your specific brief — because no two roles are the same.

Permanent Placement
15–20%
of annual CTC

One-time placement fee. Includes full screening, skills assessment, reference checks and our 90-day replacement guarantee. 30/60/90 day post-placement support included.

Get started
Fixed-Term Contract
Quoted
per placement

3–12 month contracts. Ideal for maternity cover, project-specific roles or trial periods. Includes same rigorous vetting and 30/60/90 day support.

Talk to us
For support professionals

Built by an EA.
For people like you.

We understand your skills, your value, and what you deserve from your next role. We only place you with clients who get it — and we stay in your corner long after placement.

Join our network
Roles we represent

Five roles we place with care.

All roles are remote-based, South Africa talent. Click any role to see full expectations, responsibilities, scope of work, and compensation ranges.

Executive Assistant

C-suite and senior EA roles with clients who understand this position's value and seniority.

See full overview →
Personal Assistant

PA roles across industries — professional firms, startups, executives. Full-time, part-time, remote.

See full overview →
Virtual Assistant

Remote VA retainer opportunities with vetted, professional clients who respect your time and expertise.

See full overview →
Project Manager

PM and operations roles for experienced professionals ready to lead delivery for ambitious businesses.

See full overview →
Administrator

Admin and operations support roles — data, reporting, systems, coordination. Remote-ready positions.

See full overview →
Our promise to you

You'll never be just a CV to us.

We only put you forward for roles we genuinely believe are right for you. Together, further — Kulana means to grow, and that includes you.

01
We brief you properly

Before any introduction, we walk you through the client — culture, pace, expectations, the real picture. No surprises.

02
We advocate for your worth

We know what high-calibre support is worth. We negotiate on your behalf and will not let you be undervalued.

03
30 · 60 · 90 day check-ins

Structured check-ins after placement. If something isn't working, we'd rather know early and address it — not wait for it to break.

Join our network

Let's get to know you.

Upload your CV and certificates — we'll be in touch when we have an opportunity that fits. South Africa-based remote professionals only at this stage.

Click to upload your CV or resume

PDF, DOC or DOCX — max 5MB

Click to upload certificates or qualifications

PDF or images — max 10MB total
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Role overview

Executive Assistant

The trusted right hand to senior leaders — strategic, proactive, and indispensable. A high-calibre EA doesn't just manage tasks; they manage outcomes.

Core responsibilities
  • Complex calendar and diary management across time zones
  • Executive communications — drafting, filtering, prioritising
  • Board preparation, reports and presentation support
  • Travel coordination — flights, hotels, itineraries, visas
  • Stakeholder liaison and relationship management
  • Meeting management — agendas, minutes, action tracking
  • Confidential document and information management
  • Strategic project support and research
Skills required
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication
  • Advanced MS Office or Google Workspace proficiency
  • Discretion and confidentiality — non-negotiable
  • Ability to anticipate needs before they are expressed
  • Strong prioritisation under pressure
  • Proactive problem-solving mindset
  • Professional presentation and gravitas
  • Project coordination experience
Typical compensation (SA market)
Junior EA2–4 yrs · mid-level supportR10,000 – R18,000 / mo
Senior EA5–9 yrs · Director / VP levelR18,000 – R30,000 / mo
Executive EA10+ yrs · C-suite / board levelR30,000 – R50,000 / mo

Ranges reflect South African remote market rates. Actual compensation depends on scope, industry and contract type. Kulana Group will provide role-specific guidance during placement.

Home office requirements
Reliable fibre internet connection (min 20Mbps)
Dedicated, quiet workspace — video call-ready
Laptop or desktop — Windows or Mac, up to date
Backup power solution (load shedding contingency)
Mobile phone with WhatsApp and email access
Webcam and headset for video calls
South Africa-based (all time zones accommodated)
Hire an EA Apply as an EA
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Role overview

Personal Assistant

Meticulous, discreet, and dependable. A great PA keeps your world running smoothly — managing the details so nothing important is ever missed.

Core responsibilities
  • Diary and schedule management
  • Personal and professional task coordination
  • Travel booking and itinerary management
  • Correspondence drafting and inbox management
  • Event and appointment coordination
  • Research and information gathering
  • Document preparation and filing
  • Household or lifestyle coordination (where required)
Skills required
  • Highly organised with strong attention to detail
  • Discretion and personal boundary awareness
  • Warm, professional communication style
  • Tech literacy — MS Office, Google Workspace
  • Ability to manage multiple principals if needed
  • Proactive rather than reactive approach
  • Problem-solving without escalation
Typical compensation (SA market)
Junior PA1–3 yrsR8,000 – R14,000 / mo
Experienced PA4–7 yrsR14,000 – R22,000 / mo
Senior PA8+ yrsR22,000 – R32,000 / mo

Ranges reflect South African remote market rates. Actual compensation depends on scope, industry and contract type.

Home office requirements
Reliable fibre internet connection
Quiet, professional workspace
Up-to-date laptop or desktop
Backup power solution
Smartphone with communication apps
South Africa-based
Hire a PAApply as a PA
← Back
Role overview

Virtual Assistant

Flexible, efficient, remote-ready. South Africa-based VAs providing consistent, professional support — on your schedule, matched to your systems.

Core responsibilities
  • Email and inbox management
  • Scheduling and calendar coordination
  • Data entry, management and reporting
  • Social media scheduling and basic content support
  • Research and presentation preparation
  • CRM updates and database management
  • Invoice processing and bookkeeping support
  • Customer service and client communication
Skills required
  • Strong digital literacy across multiple platforms
  • Reliable, self-managed, and deadline-driven
  • Clear written communication
  • Comfortable with remote-first tools (Slack, Zoom, Asana etc)
  • Fast learner — adapts to client systems quickly
  • Organised and consistent
Retainer packages
Admin VAGeneral admin & coordinationR6,000 – R12,000 / mo
Operations VASystems, processes, reportingR10,000 – R18,000 / mo
Executive VAHigher-complexity supportR15,000 – R25,000 / mo

Retainer packages are scoped per client brief. Ranges reflect full-time equivalent SA market rates for remote work.

Specialist VA types
  • Admin VA — general support and coordination
  • Operations VA — systems, processes, reporting
  • Executive VA — higher-complexity support tasks
Home office requirements
Fibre internet — min 20Mbps, stable
Professional home workspace
Load shedding backup (UPS or inverter)
Laptop with up-to-date software
Webcam and headset
South Africa-based — all timezones accommodated
Hire a VAApply as a VA
← Back
Role overview

Project Manager

Drives projects forward with structure, clarity, and accountability. For businesses that need someone to own the process end-to-end — and make sure nothing slips.

Core responsibilities
  • Project scoping, planning and timeline management
  • Stakeholder management and communication
  • Risk identification and mitigation
  • Resource coordination and team liaison
  • Budget tracking and reporting
  • Process documentation and SOPs
  • Sprint planning and agile delivery support
  • Post-project reviews and improvement planning
Skills required
  • Proven project delivery track record
  • Strong communication — up, down and across
  • Proficiency in PM tools (Asana, Monday, ClickUp, Jira)
  • Ability to manage complexity and shifting priorities
  • Analytical and structured thinking
  • PMP, PRINCE2 or equivalent (advantageous)
  • Leadership presence without direct authority
Typical compensation (SA market)
Junior PM2–4 yrs · coordinating PMR18,000 – R28,000 / mo
Project Manager5–9 yrs · full delivery ownershipR28,000 – R45,000 / mo
Senior / Lead PM10+ yrs · programme levelR45,000 – R70,000 / mo

Ranges reflect South African remote market rates. Contract and consulting day rates available on request.

Home office requirements
High-speed fibre internet — stable and reliable
Professional workspace — suitable for video calls
Load shedding backup solution
Powerful laptop or desktop
Second screen (strongly recommended)
South Africa-based
Hire a PMApply as a PM
← Back
Role overview

Administrator

The backbone of business operations. Organised, efficient, and systems-savvy — Administrators keep everything running so nothing important ever falls through.

Core responsibilities
  • Data entry, management and database maintenance
  • Report preparation and distribution
  • Document management and filing systems
  • Office and operations coordination
  • Supplier and vendor liaison
  • Compliance and records management
  • Basic bookkeeping and invoice processing support
  • Onboarding admin support
Skills required
  • Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
  • Proficiency in MS Office — especially Excel
  • Experience with business systems (CRM, ERP, HRMS)
  • Organised and process-oriented mindset
  • Reliable and consistent in delivery
  • Clear written communication
  • Ability to manage repetitive tasks with precision
Compensation
General AdminEntry–mid levelR6,000 – R14,000 / mo
Specialist AdminLegal / medical / financialR12,000 – R22,000 / mo
Senior Admin8+ yrs · team lead levelR18,000 – R28,000 / mo

Ranges reflect South African remote market rates. Specialist roles command premium rates based on industry complexity.

Specialist types
  • General Administrator
  • Legal Administrator
  • Medical / Healthcare Administrator
  • Financial / Accounts Administrator
  • HR Administrator
Home office requirements
Reliable internet connection
Quiet, professional home workspace
Up-to-date laptop or desktop
Load shedding backup
South Africa-based
Hire an AdministratorApply as an Administrator

"I built Kulana because I've been the EA behind the exec. I know what great looks like — and I know how rare it is to find."

Founder, Kulana Group
Our story

Built from the inside.

Kulana Group was founded by someone who has spent years as an support professional — not a recruiter who learnt this world from a job description, but someone who has done the work, understands the craft, and knows exactly what exceptional looks like from the inside.

Kulana means "to grow" in Zulu. Together, further — it's not a tagline. It's the belief we build every placement around.

Kulana — to grow

We saw too many businesses settling for "good enough" when exceptional was available. And too many high-calibre support professionals placed in roles that didn't value them. Kulana Group exists to close that gap.

Work with us
South Africa first

Remote talent, right here.

Our entire talent pool is South Africa-based. Remote-ready professionals equipped for global work — with local knowledge, local time zones, and the infrastructure to deliver without interruption.

SA
100% South Africa-based talent pool
5
Specialist roles placed with precision
90
Day post-placement support guarantee
What we stand for

Three things we never compromise on.

Rigour

Every candidate is personally screened, skills-assessed and reference-checked before we present them to a client. We don't cut corners — because corners matter.

Honesty

We'll tell you when someone isn't right, when a brief needs to change, and when we don't have the right match yet. Integrity over invoice — every time.

Care

For the businesses we serve and for every person in our talent network. People aren't resources. They're the whole point. Together, further.

Together, further.

Kulana — to grow

When the right person meets the right business, both grow. This isn't a placement. It's the beginning of something that moves everyone forward.

Start the conversation
Get in touch

Let's find your person.

Whether you're looking to hire high-calibre support talent or you're a skilled professional ready to take the next step — we'd love to hear from you.

Emailhello@kulanasa.com
Websitekulanasa.com
BasedCape Town, South Africa
Mon–Thu09:00 – 16:00
Friday09:00 – 14:00

"Together, further." — Kulana means to grow. Every conversation starts something.

Enquiry form
Insights

The Kulana blog.

Practical insight for businesses building great support teams — and for the professionals who power them.

For clients · 4 min read
How to know when you're ready to hire an EA

The signs are usually there long before you act on them. Here's how to know when it's time — and what to do next.

Read more →
For talent · 5 min read
What remote EAs actually need to succeed

Beyond a good laptop and fast Wi-Fi — the habits and home office setups that make remote support work, really work.

Read more →
For clients · 3 min read
The difference between a PA and a VA — and why it matters

They're not the same role. Hiring the wrong one costs time, money, and momentum. Here's how to choose.

Read more →
← Back to all articles
For clients · 4 min read

How to know when you're ready to hire an EA

The signs are usually there long before founders and executives act on them. Here's what they look like — and what to do when you spot them.

There's a particular kind of exhaustion that high-performing founders and executives describe when they've gone too long without proper support. It's not burnout exactly. It's the slow drain of spending your best hours on tasks that someone else could — and should — be doing.

The five signs you're ready

1. Your diary is running you, not the other way around. If you're spending more than an hour a day managing your own calendar — shuffling meetings, chasing confirmations, figuring out logistics — you're already past the point where an EA pays for itself.

2. Important things are falling through the cracks. Not because you're careless — because your bandwidth is genuinely full. Follow-ups missed. Emails unread for days. Commitments forgotten. These aren't character flaws, they're capacity signals.

3. You're doing work that doesn't require you. Travel booking. Research. Chasing invoices. Preparing documents. These tasks have real time cost but don't need your specific expertise. Every hour you spend on them is an hour not spent on what only you can do.

4. Your response times are slipping. Clients, stakeholders, team members — people are waiting longer to hear from you. Often the first thing an EA fixes is simply making you more responsive and present.

5. You keep saying "I'll get to that when things slow down." They won't. This is the pace. The question is whether you're managing it or it's managing you.

What to do next

The mistake most people make is waiting until they're overwhelmed to start the hiring process — which takes time. The better move is to start before it's urgent, so you can be selective. A great EA isn't just someone who can do the tasks. They're someone who understands your priorities, your communication style, and your standards — and that kind of match takes a little time to find.

At Kulana Group, we help you define exactly what you need before we start looking. Because overhiring is as costly as underhiring — and the brief matters as much as the candidate.

"We don't just fill roles. We find the one person who'll actually make your life easier."

Talk to us about hiring →
← Back to all articles
For talent · 5 min read

What remote EAs actually need to succeed

Beyond a good laptop and fast Wi-Fi — the habits, setups, and mindsets that make remote support genuinely work.

Remote work sounds simple in theory. You have your tools, your internet connection, your home office. But anyone who has worked as a remote EA for more than a few months knows the reality is more nuanced than that. The role demands something that office proximity used to provide automatically: visibility, presence, and trust — built entirely through what you do and how you communicate.

The infrastructure basics

Reliable fibre internet — non-negotiable. Not ADSL, not LTE as your primary connection. Fibre. An EA dropping off a video call or sending a late document because of connectivity issues costs the relationship trust that's hard to rebuild.

Load shedding backup. South Africa's reality means this isn't optional. A UPS for your router and laptop, or a larger inverter setup, is a professional necessity — not a nice-to-have. Clients who trust you with their diary and communications cannot afford for you to go dark.

A dedicated, quiet workspace. Not the kitchen. Not the couch. A space that signals to your brain — and to the people you work with — that you are at work. It doesn't need to be elaborate, but it needs to be consistent.

The habits that make the difference

Over-communicate deliberately. In an office, your principal sees you working. Remotely, they don't. The best remote EAs send brief, regular updates — not to prove they're working, but because it removes the anxiety gap that distance creates.

Be responsive, not just available. There's a difference between being logged on and being genuinely responsive. Aim to acknowledge messages within 15 minutes during working hours — even if the full response takes longer. That acknowledgement matters enormously.

Clarify before you act, not after. Without the ability to pop your head around a door, ambiguous instructions can cost hours. The best remote EAs ask clear, concise clarifying questions upfront — and save everyone the cost of redoing work.

Ready to find a role where your skills are genuinely valued?

Join our network →
← Back to all articles
For clients · 3 min read

The difference between a PA and a VA — and why it matters

They're often used interchangeably. They shouldn't be. Here's how to tell which role you actually need — and what happens when you get it wrong.

The terms Personal Assistant and Virtual Assistant are used so interchangeably that many businesses end up hiring one when they genuinely need the other. The result is either an overqualified professional doing work below their level, or an underequipped one struggling with tasks they weren't set up for. Neither outcome is good for anyone.

What a PA actually is

A Personal Assistant is typically dedicated to one person — an executive, a founder, a high-net-worth individual. They manage that person's professional and sometimes personal world: diary, travel, correspondence, relationships. The work is often complex, highly confidential, and requires significant judgment. A senior PA is a strategic partner, not an administrator.

What a VA actually is

A Virtual Assistant is a remote professional providing operational and administrative support — often to multiple clients, or on a retainer basis. VA work tends to be more task-based: inbox management, scheduling, research, data entry, social media scheduling, CRM updates. The emphasis is on reliable execution of defined tasks, often within a structured scope of hours.

The question to ask yourself

Do you need someone who is dedicated to you — who knows your world, your priorities, your communication style, and operates with a high degree of autonomy and judgment? That's a PA.

Or do you need reliable, skilled remote support for a defined set of tasks — flexibly, without the commitment of a full dedicated hire? That's a VA.

Both roles are valuable. Neither is a cheaper version of the other. The mistake is treating them as equivalent.

Not sure which role fits your situation? We'll help you figure it out.

Get expert guidance →
Kula · Kulana Group
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