Hot Desk Shared Workspace
Why We Still Need Each Other
Looking at Shared Workspaces in South Africa
Aaaaah. The golden days of WFH.
Remember that glorious moment in 2020 when we all thought working from home meant never putting on shoes again? Slippers became boardroom attire, cats walked across keyboards during Zoom meetings, and Eskom, not the boss, dictated when your workday ended. Remote work changed everything, for better or worse. While some found a golden age of productivity and flexibility, others quickly discovered that living and working in the same space made them forget what day it was… or whether they’d brushed their teeth. It could quickly become a messy spiral of unwashed coffee cups and unanswered emails.
Finding a new normal
As the world returned to something resembling “normal,” the 9-to-5 office grind didn’t bounce back quite the same. Many South African businesses adopted hybrid models, rotating employees between home and office.
Enter the era of hot desks
Shared workspaces, and co-working hubs have popped up everywhere from Cape Town’s trendy Gardens to Durban’s revamped industrial buildings. But what does this mean for productivity, personal experiences, and the politics of communal coffee machines?
Big brother is watching…The peer pressure productivity boost.
There’s something hilariously primal about our productivity levels when we know someone might be watching. You could be deep into a TikTok scroll-spiral or mastering the high score in Candy Crush, but the moment a colleague strolls past, bam! You’re suddenly slapping away at your keyboard like you’re solving world hunger. (Even if the spreadsheet is still blank). We’re just wired that way. Studies show people are more focused when they feel observed, even slightly. Maybe it’s shame, maybe it’s performance anxiety, or maybe it’s just the South African fear of being labelled “lazy” (the horror!). In a shared workspace, there’s less temptation to wander to the fridge every twenty minutes or start reorganizing your spice rack mid-email.
So yes, the fear of being judged makes us oddly… productive. Call it social accountability or call it the fact that you don’t want to be the one caught on camera during a Teams meeting eating NikNaks in your pyjamas.
“Hot Desking”: The Tinder of Office Life
A “hot desk” might sound vaguely scandalous, but it’s simply a workstation that’s up for grabs. You show up, you pick a desk, you work, and you leave – no emotional attachments. It’s a no-strings-attached relationship with a chair and a plug point. We can even call it a “productivity one-afternoon-stand.
Hot desks are ideal for freelancers, consultants, creatives, remote workers from big corporate HQs, and yes – even your cousin who’s “starting a startup” but mostly just drinks flat whites in Woodstock. They offer all the perks of an office (Wi-Fi, coffee, slightly confusing printers) without the pressure of paying rent on your own place.
In South Africa’s growing gig economy, they’re a lifeline. And in cities where load-shedding schedules are basically witchcraft, having a backup spot with a generator can be the difference between making your deadline and making excuses.
Personality in a temporary space
So how do you inject your flair into a rented desk without being that guy who brings in scented candles and installs a mini Zen Garden?
Start small.
A personalised laptop sleeve, a funky water bottle, or a notebook with a hilarious cover (“I’m silently correcting your grammar”) speaks volumes.
Top Tip: Noise-cancelling headphones in a wild colour? Instant personality. Your screensaver can scream “quirky creative” or “dead serious” without dripping a single paint drop on the walls. We also love the idea of having your own roll-up desk pad. These double as coasters and mousepads and add a bit of home comfort in your rented space. We particularly love these by Mooi Kamer.
Many shared offices even encourage a bit of self-expression—think community bulletin boards, “Desk of the Week” competitions, or motivational sticker swaps. Just maybe don’t bring in your pet parrot named Jack Parrow(t) Not everyone loves avian commentary during client calls.
Shared workspace etiquette: Don’t be that guy
A shared workspace is like a communal braai: it works best when everyone follows the rules (and no one burns the braaibroodjies). Here’s your basic survival guide:
- Noise: Keep Zoom calls to a whisper and use headphones. Keep your notifications muted and phones on silent. No one needs to hear your entire sales pitch. Or worse – your ringtone blasting “Jerusalema.”
- Food: Try not to microwave fish. Ever. In fact, reheating anything with a strong odour is a gamble. Stick to food that doesn’t start conversations… unless you’re willing to share
- Attire: Business casual is a safe bet, but remember, some shared spaces in SA get very trendy. If you’re in Cape Town, you might feel underdressed next to someone in avant-garde linen and designer sandals.
- Privacy: Mind your screen. Nobody wants their personal spreadsheets peeped. And don’t be nosy about what the tax consultant next to you is Googling (it’s probably “Is sardine fishing taxable?”).
- Habits: Clean up after yourself. Refill the kettle. Empty your wastepaper bin. Refill the printer paper tray. Pretend you know how the fancy coffee machine works, but don’t break it trying.
The joy of connection (and ridiculous watercooler talk)
Here’s the thing: humans are pack animals. Even the most introverted among us crave a bit of community. A shared laugh over a slow-loading website, a debate about whether peanut butter belongs in a fridge, or a recommendation for the best bunny chow in town—these small connections are the glue of office life.
It takes all sorts
In multidisciplinary workspaces, something beautiful happens. An architect chats to a legal consultant over morning coffee. A web designer picks the brain of a tax auditor during lunch. Suddenly, your network—and your ideas—grow.
South African shared workspaces are often as colourful and diverse as the country itself. Whether you’re working out of a minimalist co-working space in Sandton or a converted Victorian in Observatory, you’ll find connection, camaraderie, and probably a guy named Soya who always forgets his charger.
Take the risk. (It might just be worth it.)
So go ahead—grab a hot desk, bring your oddball mug, and settle into the shared rhythm of modern work. You might just find your best ideas come not during solo brainstorming, but while waiting for the microwave to finish spinning your not-too-smelly leftovers.
If you are interested in finding a hot desk, let these guys hook you up!
