With activists, for activisms.
Cape Town's one-stop shop for activists to take their work and their communities to the next level.
Bertha House is a multi-purpose space for individuals and collectives working to make a difference in their communities. We’re a centrally located hub where activists, educators, organizers, storytellers and other social actors can congregate, collaborate and learn together.
What We Offer
Contact: + 27 21 773 0255
If for any reason your organisation is unable to pay for venue or you have any other enquiry please email: [email protected]
BOOK OUR VENUES
Venues are allocated in advance: please submit your booking well before the date and we will respond within 24 hours of receiving your request via email. Should you need to cancel the booking please inform us immediately - no shows and late cancellations mean that we may have turned away partners that would have actually used the space.
Bertha House works off a paid use and reciprocity model for space usage. We ask the collectives with financial means to pay to use our facilities. This enables us to host non-paying individuals or groups, ensuring access to essential resources and facilitating the curation of programming for the space. Those who don’t have financial means are invited to give back to the space through reciprocity by sharing their skills (run a workshop, tutor, teach a class etc) for the benefit of the rest of the Bertha House community. It is in this way that all users of the space are invited to join us in embodying radical hospitality.
Venue Spaces
Glass Room
(Max Room Capacity 12)
The glass room serves as a dedicated space for hosting meetings for small groups. Numerous small organizations have taken advantage of this space for activities such as strategic planning and training sessions.
With a capacity to accommodate a maximum of 12 individuals, this room is ideally designed to foster engagement and connection among small teams. It provides an ideal setting for intimate discussions and collaboration.
Mzandisi
(Max Room Capacity 45)
Mzandisi, a meeting space that can accommodate up to 45 people, is perfectly suited for small to medium-sized groups.
With its capacity to accommodate a significant number of individuals, Mzandisi provides an ideal setting for hosting various events, discussions, and training sessions.
Kopanong
(Max Room Capacity 110)
The largest meeting space in the building, Kopanong, has served as a venue for various organizations. Kopanong offers versatile arrangements, making it an ideal space for hosting workshops, training sessions, and dance classes.
With its generous size, this room is perfectly suited for accommodating large groups, providing ample space to facilitate breakout sessions by dividing the room into two separate areas.
Cinema
(Max Room Capacity 62)
The cinema is a valuable space for bringing films to individuals who may not have had easy access otherwise.
Through the bioscope we have been able to assist partners to curate and showcase exciting content, enriching the cinematic experience for our community members and enabling the space to feature impactful films that resonate with our mission of creating positive change.
Co-work/Offices
Co-work Membership
The co-work space at Bertha House provides an invaluable opportunity for small organizations to work in a professional office environment, even if they don't have a dedicated office of their own. Currently, this shared space is home to organizations that are making an impact in our society.
The co-work area encourages collaboration among groups that may not have had the chance to meet or work together otherwise.
Media Lab
At Bertha House, we are dedicated to supporting artists from various disciplines, which is why we have created a dedicated space - the Media Lab. This room specifically caters to the needs of young and aspiring photographers and filmmakers who have the talent and vision but may lack the necessary equipment to edit their work.
Equipped with editing suites, it serves as a valuable resource for artists who are passionate about creating projects centered around social justice and activism. We understand the importance of providing access to tools and facilities that empower artists to bring their visions to life.
Offices
Bertha House has nine offices for rental on an annual basis. The offices are rented out to different civil society organizations.
Bertha House offers an exceptional opportunity for civil society organizations seeking quality office space at an affordable price. With its prime location and supportive community, it provides an ideal setting for organizations to thrive and make a positive impact on society.
In-house Services
Activist Cafe
Activist Cafe (Max Capacity 75)
The Activist Cafe at Bertha House is the central gathering point for all visitors, ranging from students and civil society organizations to artists. It serves as a vibrant and dynamic space where meaningful interactions take place.
The Cafe hosts an array of events from BrownBag sessions, that facilitate important discussions, to the 2s and 4s concerts, poetry sessions and yoga sessions – there is something for everyone.
Activist Kitchen
Activist Kitchen (Max Capacity 50)
Under the leadership of our head chef, Nondyebo Mboboza, from Mfuleni in Cape Town, the Activist Kitchen serves a diverse range of individuals every day. With a focus on inclusivity and meeting the needs of our users, we have curated a menu that ensures you will find exactly what you're looking for.
Whether you have specific dietary requirements, crave a taste of home, or are simply looking to explore new flavors, our menu has just that. From vegetarian and vegan dishes to savory meat-based creations, the Activist Kitchen offers something for everyone.
Bertha House Rates
We charge different rates based on a visiting group's ability to pay. We don’t prescribe what rate should be paid, but encourage partners to select the rate most appropriate for their organization, remembering that all booking fees power the space; the higher the rate paid for each visit, the more we are able to stretch our resources and ensure that the local community and poorly resourced groups are able to access the facilities.
Read more about our sliding scale here.
Bertha House rates include venue rental and setup, whiteboards and flipcharts (with paper), and a projector and screen on request. A/V equipment including PA and sound systems are available for hire. Catering for all events must be sourced through our in-house Activist Kitchen - food from outside providers is not permitted.
Ts and Cs: All groups making bookings regardless of sliding-scale selection must align with our values and code of conduct. Prices valid from 1 June 2024 and are subject to change.
Bertha House Community Reserve
The Bertha House Community Reserve supports qualifying activist and community groups to cover expenses associated with hosting events at Bertha House. It is rooted in the knowledge that many people and groups doing impactful work know about and want to make use of our space, but lack the resources to bring events and programming to life.
The reserve supports activist and community groups who have an interest in using the space but lack the financial resources to do so. To qualify, groups must be not-for-profit and have an annual budget of R1 million or less.
They must also be able to show that there is a valuable and time-sensitive opportunity that meets one or more of the following criteria:
- The event will advance social justice work by bringing people with a shared vision together on a specific project or political opportunity.
- The event will support a group or network in amplifying its work and reaching new audiences.
- The event will bring together two or more organizations within the Bertha Spaces community to plan and deliver collaborative programming.
- The event will provide time and space for an organization, group or network to reflect on its work and plan future work.
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