How to write references on a CV in South Africa (with copy-and-paste examples)

If you’re stuck on how to write references on a cv in south africa, here’s the simple answer: in most cases, you don’t need to list full references on your CV. Instead, keep a short line like References available on request and have a separate reference list ready to send when an employer asks.

The exception is when the job advert specifically says “Attach references” or “Provide contactable referees”. Then you should include 2–3 referees (or add them as a second page), with correct contact details and your relationship to each person.

If you want to update your CV quickly, you can update your CV profile and export a clean PDF when you’re ready.

Why references are a CV problem for many South Africans

References feel high-stakes because they involve real people—and many candidates worry about privacy, awkward calls to former employers, or not having a “big” referee.

What often goes wrong is one of these:

• Listing referees without asking them first (and they’re surprised when they get called).
• Adding personal contacts (a friend or relative) instead of work/academic referees.
• Including too much personal information (like ID numbers or home addresses).
• Using old numbers that don’t work anymore.

A good references approach is simple: protect your referees’ details, keep your CV tidy, and be ready when a recruiter asks.

Should you put references on your CV in South Africa?

Use this rule of thumb:

• Include references on the CV only if the advert asks for them, or if you’re applying through a process where references are always expected (some schools, security roles, certain government/contract work).
• Do not include full references if you’re applying broadly online (email, job portals, WhatsApp applications). Rather keep “available on request”.

Why? Once your CV is shared around, you lose control over who has your referees’ phone numbers. Keeping references separate is cleaner and safer.

What if you have no referee yet?

You can still apply. Use an academic or training referee (lecturer, tutor, supervisor from WIL, learnership coordinator) or a community leadership referee (coach, NGO coordinator) if they can genuinely speak about your reliability and work ethic.

If you’re building a CV from scratch, start with a solid structure first. This guide on how to write a CV with no experience in South Africa pairs well with the reference advice below.

What to write instead: the best “References available on request” wording

If references aren’t required, add a short line near the end of your CV (usually after Skills or after Work Experience, depending on your layout):

• References available on request.

That’s enough. You don’t need to sound fancy. Avoid long sentences like “References can be provided upon request at any time” — it wastes space.

When to skip the line completely

If your CV is tight (especially a one-pager), you can remove the line entirely. Most recruiters already assume you can provide references later.

If the advert asks for references: what details to include

If you must include referees, aim for 2–3 people (unless the advert asks for more). Keep it neat and consistent.

For each referee, include:

• Name and surname
• Job title (or role)
• Company / organisation (or institution)
• Relationship to you (e.g., “Line manager”, “Lecturer”, “Team leader”)
• Phone number (make sure it’s current)
• Email address (professional-looking address if possible)

Optional (only if it helps):

• City/province (useful if they are landline-based or region-specific)
• Dates you worked/studied with them (e.g., 2023–2024)

Don’t include home addresses, ID numbers, or personal details beyond what helps a recruiter contact them.

Copy-and-paste examples (South Africa-friendly)

Use these blocks as-is and edit the details. Keep the formatting consistent with the rest of your CV.

Example 1: Experienced candidate (former manager)

• Referee: Thabo Mokoena
• Position: Operations Manager
• Company: Kanyisa Logistics
• Relationship: Line manager (2022–2024)
• Phone: 0XX XXX XXXX
• Email: thabo.mokoena@email.com

Example 2: Graduate / student (lecturer or WIL supervisor)

• Referee: Dr Naledi Pillay
• Position: Lecturer, Department of Marketing
• Institution: [Your University/College]
• Relationship: Lecturer (2023)
• Phone: 0XX XXX XXXX
• Email: naledi.pillay@email.com

Example 3: Learnership / internship (training provider or site supervisor)

• Referee: Zanele Dlamini
• Position: Programme Coordinator
• Organisation: [SETA / Training Provider / Employer]
• Relationship: Learnership coordinator (2024)
• Phone: 0XX XXX XXXX
• Email: zanele.dlamini@email.com

Example 4: Short and clean “References” section for a CV

References

• Thabo Mokoena – Operations Manager, Kanyisa Logistics | Line manager | 0XX XXX XXXX | thabo.mokoena@email.com
• Dr Naledi Pillay – Lecturer, [Institution] | Lecturer | 0XX XXX XXXX | naledi.pillay@email.com

How to choose the right referees (without making it awkward)

Pick people who can speak about how you work—not just that you’re “a good person”. Good options include:

• Your direct supervisor or team leader
• A manager from a previous job (even if it was part-time)
• A lecturer/tutor (especially if you did projects, presentations, or group work)
• A supervisor from WIL, internship, volunteering, or a learnership

If you left a job on bad terms, you can still use another referee from the same workplace (a different supervisor) or use HR only for employment confirmation—depending on what the employer wants.

Ask first (WhatsApp script you can use)

Keep it simple and respectful. Here’s a message you can copy and edit:

Hi [Name], I hope you’re well. I’m applying for [role] and I wanted to ask if I may list you as a reference. The role is in [industry/company type]. Please let me know if you’re comfortable, and I’ll share my updated CV and the job description. Thank you.

Where to put references on your CV (if you include them)

Put references near the end. A common South African order is:

• Contact details
• Profile summary
• Skills
• Work experience
• Education
• Certificates / short courses
• References (or “Available on request”)

If you’re unsure about your section order, this guide on the best order of CV sections in South Africa helps you keep everything readable.

Should references be on a separate page?

If adding references makes your CV messy or pushes important content onto a new page, keep your CV clean and create a separate file called something like:

• Reference_List_YourName_Surname.pdf

That way you can attach it only when asked.

Quick checklist: references that won’t hurt your application

• You have asked each referee for permission.
• Their phone number and email are current and readable.
• You used 2–3 referees max (unless instructed otherwise).
• Your referees match the role (retail manager for retail, lecturer for graduate roles, etc.).
• You did not include private info like ID numbers or home addresses.
• You can send a separate reference list quickly if requested.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using family members as referees: It looks biased, even if they know you well.
• Listing “current employer” without thinking: If your boss doesn’t know you’re job hunting, choose a previous manager or an academic referee instead.
• Adding too many referees: More is not better. It creates clutter and can slow down checks.
• Unreachable contacts: A dead number can cost you credibility fast.

The takeaway + your next step

For most applications, the best answer to how to write references on a cv in south africa is: keep it short on your CV, and be ready to provide full details when asked. Only list referees on the CV if the advert requires it.

If you want a clean CV layout with the right sections, you can create a free CV, then choose a CV design and export a professional PDF. If you get stuck, contact CV Hub or read the CV Hub FAQ.