With the ball rolling on the possible adoption of a remote working visa to lure more travellers to the country, businesses in Cape Town are already cashing in by creating spaces that entice digital nomads.
Co-working spaces have become the latest craze in the city, specifically designed to accommodate the nomadic lifestyle that boomed after the Covid-19 pandemic.
This week, Department of Home Affairs director-general Livhuwani Makhode told the Western Cape Legislature a report containing recommendations on the adoption of a start-up and remote work visa, among others, had been completed.
Neighbourgood and Ideas Cartel have set themselves apart as the go-to places that provide a variety of options for places to live, work, eat and play.
Since its launch in June 2020, Neighbourgood has opened eight locations around Cape Town’s CBD, six of which are co-living spaces, and two of them are co-working spaces.
Murray Clark, the founder and CEO of Neighbourgood, said the company was established in response to a newly found need that the pandemic presented.
“The dynamic of how people occupy living and working space changed dramatically during that period,” he said.
“Neighbourgood was us adjusting to the fact that standard hotel stays and office spaces become moot.”
Clark said he thinks their mission was what sets them apart from spaces operating in the same industry.
“We want to bring good to each neighbourhood, that’s why we exist in central spaces,” he said.
“Buildings are the hardware, but the software is what we do inside. Our job is to bring the soul into often lifeless buildings.”
Clark said Neighbourgood was open to trade exchanges from anyone.
“We are open to working with anyone who can present us with value, as we try our best to support careers in all communities,” he said.
For the Cape Quarter workspace, a day pass costs R260 and a hot desk can cost between R2 250 and R2 850 for the month. A designated parking space is an additional cost of R1 600 per month.
Private office spaces start at about R3 000 per month, per desk. Meeting rooms are charged per hour and are also dependent on the size of the group meeting, with a minimum of three people to a maximum of 12 people.
Accommodation within the co-living spaces starts from R8 000 up to R30 000 per month for luxury self-contained apartments. Pricing is seasonal with peak seasons costing more and low seasons costing less.
Ideas Cartel was founded in 2013 by Schuyler Vorster to create a space where nomads could redefine how they work, travel and connect.
Since opening, the group has opened six locations in Cape Town, for co-working, hosting events, hotels and restaurants.
Ideas Cartel offers private spaces from daily offices to full-floor office space or daily and monthly hot desk workspaces.
“For anyone travelling, whether doing so for business or leisure, we want it to be a one-stop shop,” said the company’s Nicolette Vorster.
“Our event locations have become increasingly popular, especially for corporate events over the years.
“We have a distinct appearance and feel. I frequently travel with my husband, Schuyler, and we have found inspiration to bring back to this place from our adventures,” she said.
For co-working, their hourly rate is R50, R200 for the day, R1 000 for the week and R2 000 for the month. For a fixed desk, this is charged at R3 500 for the month.
Office spaces are R500 at the daily rate for one to four people, and for monthly and enterprise suites, prices are provided on request.
Boardrooms and meeting rooms are charged by the hour and range from R350 to R600, depending on the number of people.
Vorster said her husband moved to Cape Town from Johannesburg more than a decade ago and used to work at a coffee shop.
“He travelled abroad to New York and got inspiration from a co-working space there and realised it was something that Cape Town didn’t have,” she said.