WE ARE VR — FAQ and community overview

Source: https://www.wearevrjozi.org/ FAQ section (scraped 2026-07-13; refreshed 2026-08-18)

Q: What exactly is WE ARE VR?

A: A grassroots XR community in Johannesburg that showcases local VR/AR/MR talent, provides skills development, and builds collective bargaining power for creators. Started in 2018, now 250+ active members.

Q: Who can join?

A: Anyone interested in extended reality — developers, artists, students, entrepreneurs, researchers, or curious newcomers. No experience required. Ages ~17–60+; actively gender-inclusive and diverse.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: Free to join the WhatsApp community and attend meetups. Merch and donations on the site (PayFast or bank transfer) help sustain meetups and programs; core access remains free.

Q: What happens at monthly meetups?

A: Curated talks and demos, hands-on VR/AR experiences, networking, and knowledge sharing. Usually last Thursday of each month in Rosebank. Community-lab style — show-and-tell, not corporate expo.

Q: I’m a beginner. Will I feel out of place?

A: No. Mentorship, skill workshops, and a welcoming atmosphere. Every expert started with zero XR experience.

Q: What’s the WhatsApp community like?

A: Channels for announcements, news, help desk, jobs, and general chat. Daily knowledge sharing, weekly rituals like Monday Wins, curated content drops. Signal over noise. Parallel Signal use is also mentioned for daily news.

Q: How does it help professionally?

A: Job postings, freelance gigs, collaborations, fair rate guidance, contract advice, and collective support if clients act badly. Building toward union-like collective bargaining power.

Q: Can companies get involved?

A: Yes — recruit talent, sponsor events, partner on projects. Educational institutions collaborate on training. Funders can support initiatives like the planned XR Skills Uplift program.

Q: Different from LinkedIn networking?

A: Face-to-face community, hands-on demos, mentorship, collective protection against exploitation, shared resources and equipment, and a mission beyond individual gain — building Africa’s XR industry on terms that serve creators.

Q: How can I help?

A: Support with funding and membership so the local scene can grow faster. Nearly a decade of volunteer time, money, and effort already invested.