how do I find out how to volunteer in South Africa?

Answer 1

1. It is not clear from your question if:
(a) you live in South Africa and want to volunteer locally, or
(b) you live elsewhere and want to have a volunteering holiday in South Africa.
You have no question/answer history for me to work out which applies.

2. South Africans
You should contact the National Volunteer Centre...
a) What it is:-
It is a non- government organisation, located in Cape Town, which recruits volunteers in any age group. Originally known as "The Voluntary Aid Bureau", it started in Cape Town in 1979, as a project of International Year of the Child. The Centre now boasts five full time staff and offers a comprehensive range of services to organisations and individual volunteers.
b) What it does:-
" We:
• Recruit volunteers from all walks of life and match their skills and interests with those of more than 300 non-profit organizations,
• Train volunteers and volunteer managers, to work effectively together and
• Celebrate volunteering with an annual event during which we recognize the efforts of volunteers."
http://www.volcent.co.za/index.htm

3. Non-South Africans
There are many organisations offering volunteering opportunities in the Republic of South Africa. Some organisations are actually based in South Africa, and many others elsewhere. You can get details with a simple internet search. Here are just a few...
a) Based in South Africa
(i) Aviva
http://www.aviva-sa.com/
(ii) Willing Workers in South Africa
http://www.wwisa.co.za/
b) Based elsewhere
(i) Global Volunteer Network
http://www.volunteer.org.nz/southafrica/
(ii) Cross-Cultural Solutions
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/where_you_can_go/south_africa/default.asp?siteID=google_volunteering_in_south_africa&gclid=CMWx6N6d04oCFT4GQgodU3zPgA
(iii) Working Abroad
http://www.workingabroad.org/volunteer/volunteer_southafrica.html
(iv) Institute for Field Research Expeditions
http://www.ifrevolunteers.org/southafrica/volunteer_in_southafrica.php
(v) Global Crossroad
http://www.globalcrossroad.com/southafrica/
(vi) STA Travel
http://www.statravel.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/SID-0A536D8E-6BC83192/uk_division_web_live/hs.xsl/10454.htm

Answer 2

Try googling community volunteers abroad.