Presented at the Coworking Africa Meetup by David van Berkel.

1. An introduction to the local scene
David van Berkel

2. WHO ARE WE?
“…coworking might also be interpreted as an emancipatory practice
challenging the current neoliberal politics of individualisation”
(Merkel, 2015)

3. SMALL
NOT
FINISHED
LOTS OF
POTENTIAL
VERY
EXCITING
NOT BUSY
NOT
PROFITABLE
LABOUR
INTENSIVE

4. OUR STORY
Frustrated Professional >> Freelance Designer Working from Home >> Involvement with ECHO Youth NGO

5. Necessity as the ‘Mother of initiative’>> Learning theory after practice>> Still learning
OUR STORY

6. 1. The local scene in South Africa
2. Finding the strengths
in the challenges
3. The road ahead

7. National Development Plan:
A holistic snapshot of South Africa
1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD

8. 1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
Urban professionals coworking demographic
Skilled labour statistics

9. Tech Hubs as synonymous to Coworking
Tech funding
1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD

10. 4 Key values of coworking
Collaboration
Openness
Community
Sustainability
1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
Social integration – communitarian social relations

12. Homes with Internet Access 2013
USA 74%
73.4% high speed connections
EU 81%
RSA 10 %
1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
Infrastructure – Coworking spaces as shared infrastructure

13. 85% mains electrical supply
99 days
of load-shedding in 2015
1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
Infrastructure – Coworking spaces as shared infrastructure

14. How has coworking grown in non-ideal circumstances?
Other countries broke their barriers, South Africa needs to
do the same.
Can non-ideal circumstances be seen as opportunities?

15. Job creation>> Entrepreneur barriers to entry >> Improved productivity
1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
Urban professionals

16. 1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
Urban professionals
Upskilling >> Mthokozisi Mthetwa >> Zwanani Languages

17. Grounded Work diversity stats:
RACE GENDER
INTERESTS
50%
Walindah and Schalk
1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
Social integration

18. Know coworkers 1st names
Feel less isolated
Changed social circle
86%
62%
92%
1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
Social integration – Bringing people out of their homes
Deskmag 2nd coworking survey:

19. BACKUP
ELECTRICITY
INTERNET
COURIERS
COFFEE
MACHINE
PRINTER
SCANNER
POOLED
RESOURCES
1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
Infrastructure – Temporary centralisation

20. 1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
What can coworking operators do?
Cost awareness >> Special offers/partnerships >> Open days

21. 1 THE LOCAL SCENE | 2 STRENGTHS IN CHALLENGES | 3 THE ROAD AHEAD
What can coworking operators do?
Grassroots partnerships >> Social >> Economic >> Educational

22. THANK YOU!