So, here’s the thing. I’ve been trying to build this community for quite some time now, but if you ask my wife, she’ll tell you I’m fantastic at starting things… but absolutely terrible at following through. I get busy, distracted, forgetful, and, well, a bit all over the place. Sound familiar to anyone else? 😅

That’s why I’m beyond excited to share some brilliant news with you! I’m in the process of bringing someone on board whose main job will be to help put together all the pieces of our South Africans in Vancouver community. From events to the Business Council to classifieds – you name it, she’ll be making sure it all runs smoothly.

The deal isn’t quite 100% done yet, so I can’t give you all the details or introduce her just yet, but trust me, she’s amazing! A fellow South African living here in Vancouver, with loads of experience building nonprofit organizations and communities. And even better, she loves the South African community as much as I do. Fun fact: it was actually a chance encounter through this very newsletter that brought us together!

Oh, and did I mention she’s super organized? Which, let’s be honest, is something I’m definitely not. I’m really excited to see what she’s going to bring to the table, and I know this will be a game changer for all of us. Together, we’re going to build an even stronger, thriving South African community here in Vancouver!

In This Weeks Newsletter:

• Upcoming Events

• Saffa Tips: Watch Out for Facebook Marketplace Scams!

• Community Thought of the Week: Looking Out for One Another

Upcoming Events

1. Pub Night Meet ’n Greet – Sold Out!

   Well, that went fast! The South African Pub Night at The Taphouse Coquitlam on Friday, Oct 11 is officially sold out! If you missed out, don’t worry – there’ll be more events like this coming soon. Lesson learned: next time, move quick if you want in! I won’t be able to make it myself (thanks, BC Elections!), but make sure to have an extra beer for me!
   

2. Vernon’s Netvleish Potjie Cook-Off – Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024

   I’ll definitely be at this one! Join us on November 9th for the Netvleish Potjie Cook-off in Vernon, organized by Liza and Jeffrey Hausberger. It’s a full day of cooking, tasting, and fun at 2715 Francis St, Vernon, BC.

   - 11 AM: Potjies on the fire

   - 5 PM: Tasting and judging
   

   There are only 25 spots for pots, and a $25 donation covers the basics like firewood and porta-loos. If you’re not entering a pot, don’t worry – come along, taste the amazing food (by donation), and enjoy the day with the community.

   
   Just a few notes:

   • Dress warmly, it’s an outdoor event.

   • BYOB and chairs, but leave the fur kids at home – it’s not pet-friendly.

   
   We’ll be staying over for the weekend and making the most of it. Hope to see you there!

Saffa Tips: Watch Out for Facebook Marketplace Scams!

Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of sneaky scams popping up on Facebook Marketplace, and I urge you to keep your eyes wide open. Now, we all love a good deal (we’re Saffas, after all!), and Facebook Marketplace is full of them. But recently, there’s been a spike in fake listings. They look like great deals, but once you reach out, you get the ol’ “someone else is on the way to pick it up, but I’ll hold it for you if you send me a deposit.”
Red flag! 🚩

This is a classic scam. The moment someone asks you to send a “holding deposit” via Interac, just walk away. They take the money, and of course, the item doesn’t exist. The address they give? Fake. The profile? Also fake. If you look closely, these profiles are often brand new (created in 2024), with no posts, no friends – just set up to trick people.

We almost got caught up in one of these scams ourselves! Belinda spotted a Hollywood vanity table that she thought Angelique would love. It was a steal at $150, so she messaged the seller. Everything seemed fine until the seller asked for a holding deposit. Belinda smartly refused, but the scammer still sent over an address and even asked for a seller rating to seem legit. After some back and forth and no clear pickup date, we decided to drive by the address… and, surprise! The poor old guy at the house had no clue who we were or what we were talking about. Classic scam.

So, please, when you’re on Facebook Marketplace, never send holding deposits, no matter how good the deal sounds. Always check profiles, and if something feels off, trust your gut. It’s better to miss a deal than lose your money!

Community Thought of the Week: Looking Out for One Another

One of the things that makes having a South African community in Vancouver so special is how we can look out for each other. Whether it’s sharing tips, passing along advice, or warning others about things like Facebook Marketplace scams, it’s clear that when we stand together, we’re stronger.

Most other expat communities make a point of looking out for their own, and we should do the same. It’s about building trust, not just through big gestures, but through the little things – sharing information, lending a hand, or simply being there to support one another. In a world where it’s easy to feel disconnected, knowing that you’ve got a community to rely on makes all the difference.

So here’s my ask: if you’ve come across something that could help a fellow Saffa, let us know! Whether it’s a job opportunity, some expert advice, or just a helpful tip, please hit reply and share it. Let’s keep building this network of trust and support.

Also, if you’re an expert in areas like insurance, finance, tax, immigration, property, or anything that could help fellow South Africans, I’d love to sit down with you for an interview. Your knowledge and advice could go a long way in helping others, so please reach out!

And lastly - please forward this mail to other Saffas you know and share this on social media so we can grow the community ;-)