Howzit

This past week we took a little road trip—from Vancouver to Jasper, then down the Icefields Parkway to Banff, over to Calgary, and all the way back again. You know, just a casual 2,300-kilometre cruise through the Rockies.

And here’s what hit me: Canada is massive. It’s hard to wrap your head around just how big it really is. Driving from Vancouver to Banff takes about 10 hours… and you’ve just left BC. That’s like driving from Joburg to Cape Town and still being in the same province. And that’s just sideways—not even the long way up.

Reinhardt reckons BC’s wildfire season burns more forests yearly than all of South Africa’s combined. Sounds wild, but I believe it…

But wow—it’s beautiful. Wide, quiet highways, giant mountain ranges, endless forests, and long stretches where there’s no signal and it’s just you, the road, and a bit of lekker silence.

And then you hit Calgary… and suddenly you’re in the Free State. Flat, dry, and brown. Wide open as far as the eye can see. Honestly, it felt like driving from Joburg to Sasolburg—except the roads weren’t full of potholes.

This little trip just made me realize again how incredible this country is—and how much more there still is to see. I really need to get off my ass and explore more of it.

So if you know of any epic Canadian road trips, hidden gems, or favourite spots I should check out, let me know. Or if you live somewhere beautiful and you’re up for a visitor this summer—give me a shout.

In This Week’s Newsletter

• 🎉 Upcoming Events: a few lekker things on the calendar

• 🏡 HowzitCanada Win: Dianne’s House-Hunting Story

• 🍽️ Saffa Spotlight: Boabab Café in Calgary

• Community Thought of the Week

• That’s a Wrap!

Upcoming Events

Saffas, get your diaries out—there’s heaps happening this month!

🍻 Join fellow Saffas at the Hemingway’s Saffa Pub Night in Toronto on April 16 at 6 PM, or swing by Tea for Three Thursdays at Boabab Café in Calgary on April 17 for proper rooibos and a chat. Vancouver locals—Sailor Hagar’s Pub Night is back on April 21 at 6 PM. Into live music? Tsotsi Cape Jazz hits Toronto on April 25. And for something soulful, there’s an Afrikaanse Kerkdiens in Fort Macleod on May 3.

As always, you can find all the juicy details at HowzitCanada.ca/event

And if you know of any other events coming up in the next month or so that we’ve missed, please let us know so we can help get the word out!

HowzitCanada Win: Dianne’s House-Hunting Story

Every now and then, we hear a story that reminds us exactly why we started HowzitCanada in the first place. This week, that story comes from Dianne.

She was thinking about buying a home on the North Shore. So, like any good Saffa, she hopped onto HowzitCanada.ca to see who she could find. That’s where she came across Barry Scorgie, a local realtor we’ve featured on the YouTube channel before.

She reached out, and from the first chat, she knew she was in good hands. Barry didn’t just understand the Canadian property market—he understood her. He knew how things work back in SA, so he could explain the differences clearly and help her navigate the process with confidence.

Then things got real. Dianne found a condo she absolutely loved. Barry jumped in—he spent the whole weekend preparing the offer and digging into the background of the building. And just before she was ready to sign, he messaged her with one word: “Stop.”

Turns out, Barry had uncovered some serious hidden issues that would’ve turned her dream condo into a nightmare. He told her to walk away—even though it meant losing the sale and the commission.

That’s integrity. That’s community. That’s what happens when South Africans look out for each other.

So here’s a huge shoutout to Barry—and to all the Saffas out there who go the extra mile for each other. You’re what makes this network so special.

Saffa Spotlight: Boabab Café in Calgary

If you’re ever in Calgary (or even vaguely passing through), do yourself a favour and stop in at Boabab Café.

Tucked just west of downtown, Boabab isn’t just a South African grocery store—it’s a whole experience. They’ve got a deli, a coffee shop, a full hot-food kitchen, and even plans for a wine-tasting room down the line.

The space is beautifully done, with quirky South African touches everywhere (yes, you can buy Chappies and fellies). The food? Next level. We tried the bunny chow, boerie roll with sheba, and a chicken apricot sosatie—and honestly, it all tasted just as good as it looked.

The chef behind the magic is Francois Strauss—a Pretoria expat who moved to Canada when he was 12 years old and missed his Ouma’s cooking. Now he’s recreating those memories for the Calgary community, one South African dish at a time.

Massive respect to Andrew and the team for building something truly special. You can feel the care and effort that’s gone into every detail. We’ll be back. Often.

🎥 Watch the video

Community Thought of the Week

One thing this past week reminded me of—whether you’re on a ten-hour road trip, buying your first home, or sitting down to a boerie roll in Calgary—is how much comfort comes from feeling understood.

There’s something special about connecting with people who get your slang, your stories, your taste in food, and your frame of reference. It makes things feel just a little less foreign, a little more manageable.

That’s really the heart of HowzitCanada. It’s not just a directory or a newsletter—it’s a reminder that you’re not doing this alone.

Wherever you are on this Canadian adventure, someone else has walked that road too. And if we keep looking out for each other—like Barry did, like Francois does, like so many of you do every day—we’ll all find our place here a little easier, and a little quicker.

That’s a Wrap

Big thanks to those of you who’ve recently become Founding Members of the South African Institute of Canada—you know who you are. We’ll be giving you a proper shout-out next week, but for now, just know we’re incredibly grateful for your support. It’s this kind of community spirit that keeps everything moving forward.

If you’ve enjoyed this week’s newsletter, please share it with a friend, post it on a WhatsApp group, or forward it to any other SAFAs you know in Canada. The more people we reach, the stronger the community becomes—so let’s spread the word and keep the connections growing.

What’s one thing you love about being a Saffa in Canada? Hit reply and tell me!

And if you’ve got an idea for an event, story, or anything we should include next time, pop an email to [email protected].

Cheers,
Callie