Work Wanderers

If you’re a remote worker, freelancer or entrepreneur who craves a sense of community and an amazing place to live and work, you’ll want to get connected with the rapidly growing Cape Town Digital Nomad scene. What started as a small pandemic gathering has exploded into a thriving community of over 1,000 global nomads from all walks of life.

It all began in 2021 when Andrae Smith, a seasoned South African digital nomad who travels the world running co-living retreats, found herself unexpectedly stuck in her hometown of Cape Town due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Longing for social connection after months of isolation, she decided to host a simple nomad community dinner – and 20 people showed up. That enthusiastic turnout sparked the idea to build something bigger.

“After being cooped up inside with no social life for so long, there was this real hunger to connect with like-minded people who understood the remote lifestyle,” said Smith. “That first dinner grew into regular meetups, hikes, business networking events, and more. People were craving that nomad mindset of freedom and adventure.”

From just 20 people, the community quickly ballooned to over 1,000 members in Smith’s Cape Town Digital Nomad WhatsApp group. Now, they host a constant calendar of unique events like pitch nights for entrepreneurs, wine tastings and tours, peninsula scenic drives, pool parties, yacht outings and more. An exciting major global community event is also being planned for 2025.

While the pandemic was the initial catalyst, Cape Town has emerged as an ideal international hub for digital nomads due to its affordability, breathtaking natural scenery, solid WiFi infrastructure, and perfectly friendly timezone for collaborating with North America and Europe. The newly approved remote work visa allowing nomads to legally reside for up to six months has made South Africa, especially the picturesque Cape Town, the number one destination.

The majority of the community’s members hail from the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and other European nations, but nomads from around the world have joined, as well as some locally-based entrepreneurs and remote workers interested in the nomadic lifestyle. The diverse group allows for incredible networking, cultural exchange and lasting connections.

“You can expect to meet people from absolutely everywhere with different backgrounds, skills and perspectives,” said Smith. “Despite the differences, we all share that passion for freedom, adventure and designing our own lifestyles. Cape Town offers an amazing quality of life that really enables this nomad mindset.”

For Smith, cultivating this blossoming community was an extension of her own entrepreneurial journey into the world of digital nomads. Back in 2018, she had quit her 9-5 marketing job to start her own business, Work Wanderers, hosting co-living retreats for nomads in places like Cape Town & Bali.

When that business ground to a halt due to the pandemic in 2020, she was faced with the choice of whether to throw in the towel on her nomad dreams or pivot. Unwilling to give up, she moved her offerings online with trainings, coaching programs, courses and other resources for the global nomad community.

While she continues running her online nomad programs, Smith is now also dedicating herself to growing the exciting Cape Town scene she accidentally kicked off. Her vision is to create an energizing hub and home base for remote entrepreneurship, skill-sharing, collaborations and adventures.

“We’re building incredible experiences for people to connect, grow their businesses and skills, and fully embrace the nomad mindset and lifestyle,” said Smith. “This is a chance for anyone to embark on their remote work journey while being part of an inspiring, collaborative community in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.”

To get free access and join the lively Cape Town Digital Nomad community, check out the QR code below. Help spread the word about this remote work haven to others looking to escape the 9-to-5 grind.