Donating blood in South Africa – who can and how
Who is eligible to donate, what happens on the day, how often you can give, and the deferral rules that catch people out — plus what to eat before and after.
Who can donate
Blood services in South Africa collect from healthy volunteer donors who meet a set of eligibility criteria. The broad requirements are an age range starting in the teens, a minimum body weight, being in good health on the day, and leading a lifestyle that the service considers low risk for transfusion-transmissible infection.
Reasons you may be deferred
- A low haemoglobin reading on the day. This is checked with a finger-prick test before donation and is the most common reason people are turned away.
- A recent illness, fever, infection or course of antibiotics.
- Recent travel to a malaria area.
- A recent tattoo, body piercing or acupuncture.
- Pregnancy, and a period after giving birth or while breastfeeding.
- Some medicines and some medical conditions.
- A recent donation — there is a minimum interval between donations.
Deferral is usually temporary. Being turned away once does not mean you can never donate, and the service will tell you when you can come back.
What happens on the day
- Eat a proper meal and drink plenty of water in the hours before. Do not arrive on an empty stomach.
- You complete a confidential health and lifestyle questionnaire. Answer it honestly — it protects the person who will receive the blood.
- A staff member checks your blood pressure, pulse and haemoglobin.
- The donation itself takes roughly ten minutes; the whole visit is usually under an hour.
- You rest for a few minutes and have something to eat and drink before leaving.
- Keep drinking fluids for the rest of the day and avoid heavy exercise or heavy lifting.
- Leave the dressing on for a few hours.
- If you feel light-headed, sit or lie down with your legs raised.
Donation is not a substitute for testing
Common questions
- How often can I donate blood in South Africa?
- There is a minimum interval between whole-blood donations set by the blood service. Check the current interval on the service's own donor information, as it differs by donation type.
- Why was I turned away from donating?
- The most common reason is a low haemoglobin reading on the day. Recent illness, antibiotics, travel to a malaria area, a recent tattoo or piercing, pregnancy and some medicines can also defer you, usually temporarily.
- What should I eat before donating blood?
- Have a proper meal beforehand and drink plenty of water. Arriving on an empty stomach is a common reason donors feel faint.
Sources
- Blood donation eligibility and the donation processSouth African National Blood Service
- National clinical guidelines and policy libraryNational Department of Health, South Africa
- Clinical and public health guidanceWorld Health Organization
Last reviewed 11 August 2026.