Howzit!

Carel Van Graan
October 15, 2024

Today’s a special one—my daughter Angelique just turned 17! Over the weekend, she and her friends celebrated her birthday in a way that really made me think about why we moved here. They started with bowling in North Van, took the Seabus downtown to catch a late-night movie, and after that, they grabbed an Uber to the beach and hung out until around 2 a.m.

The thing is, we were in bed by 10 p.m., totally relaxed. When I was growing up, my parents never worried about us being out. We had that same freedom, but in Joburg? Not a chance. We’d never let the kids go out alone, and if they did, we’d be stressing about their safety the whole time. But here, knowing she was out having fun and being safe gave us a peace of mind we couldn’t imagine back in SA.

Upcoming Events
Thought of the day: How Quickly Sentiment Can Change
Saffa Tips: Don’t Miss Out on the Canada Child Benefit
Update on the Business Council and Classifieds

Upcoming Events

Abande Ubuntu Ezweni | A Benefit for Education without Borders – October 26, 2024

Get ready for a night you won’t forget! Abande Ubuntu Ezweni is all about expanding greatness, love, humanity, and kindness—basically, creating a space where everyone feels welcome. The evening will take you on a musical journey through the vibrant sounds of South Africa, Nigeria, and Ukraine, mixing original tunes with some beloved classics.

They’ve got something truly special lined up: a collaboration between Maju Maju, who helped found the Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, and Oleksiy Meleshko, joined by the Ukrainian choir Kolo. It’s all about unity, equality, and cultural celebration. With a full band on stage, expect some captivating storytelling through music, blending soulful vocals, rich heritage, and sheer artistry.

Best of all, it’s for a fantastic cause—supporting Education without Borders.

Date: October 26, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Location: St. James Community Square, 3214 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6K 2L2

Find out more at educationwithoutborders.co. Don’t miss this one—it’s going to be an amazing night!

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

I’m definitely looking forward to this one! Mark your calendars for November 9th when we’ll be gathering in Vernon for the Netvleish Potjie Cook-off, thanks to Liza and Jeffrey Hausberger. It’s a whole day dedicated to cooking, tasting, and just having a great time at 2715 Francis St, Vernon, BC.

11 AM: Potjies on the fire
5 PM: Tasting and judging

There are only 25 spots available for pots, and a $25 donation covers the essentials like firewood and porta-loos. Even if you’re not entering a pot, come along for a taste of the action (by donation) and enjoy the day with the community.

Just a heads-up:
Dress warmly—it’s an outdoor event. BYOB and chairs, but sorry, no pets allowed.

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

Thought of the day: How Quickly Sentiment Can Change

I came across the latest Internations Expat Insider survey, and it was a bit of a shocker. Canada ranked 49th out of 53 countries for expats, with personal finances coming dead last at 53rd. It’s a big drop from where we stood just a few years ago—in 2021, Canada was at number 9! You can check out the 2024 survey here and the 2021 ranking here.

It’s interesting how quickly sentiment can shift. The survey results are based on how people feel, and right now, the high cost of living is casting a dark cloud over many expats’ experiences. The rankings only include countries with at least 50 respondents, so it reflects a decent sample of expat sentiment.

But here’s the thing—sentiment rises just as fast as it falls. I’m optimistic that we’ll see things improve soon. If enough people push hard enough, the government may ease up on carbon taxes and other policies driving up the cost of living. And if not, there’s always the possibility of a new government stepping in next year to fix these issues. As quickly as things went bad, they can turn around.

At the end of the day, Canada still has so much going for it. It’s one of the most beautiful, bountiful countries on earth. We just need a leadership that will use that bounty to benefit the Canadian people. Hang in there—better days are ahead.

PS: Get out there and Vote in the BC Elections if you are already a Citizen. Every Vote counts!

Saffa Tips: Don’t Miss Out on the Canada Child Benefit

If you’ve got kids under 18, make sure you’re not leaving money on the table! The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is a federal program designed to help families with the cost of raising children. It’s a tax-free monthly payment that can make a big difference in your budget, especially with how expensive things are these days.

What’s the CCB All About?
The Canada Child Benefit is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and provides payments based on your adjusted family net income (ANFI). The great thing is that almost every family in Canada qualifies for some level of support, as long as you’re a legal resident—temporary or permanent—and your family’s adjusted net income is below $171,000.

Even if your income is on the higher end, you might still get a small amount, though it might not be worth the paperwork if it's only $26. For families with a lower ANFI (under $32,797), you can receive the full base amount, which is $6,997 per year ($583.08/month) for each child under 6 and $5,903 per year ($491.91/month) for each child aged 6 to 17. As your income increases, the benefit gradually reduces, but the support can still be substantial.

For example, a family with two young kids and an income below the lowest threshold would get nearly $14,000 a year!

Why You Should Apply
If you haven’t applied for the CCB yet, there’s no reason to wait. It’s easy to do, and you could be missing out on extra cash to help with groceries, school supplies, or just making ends meet. When you apply for the CCB, the CRA will automatically enroll you in other child-related benefits you may qualify for. It’s all handled through the same application, so you don’t have to jump through extra hoops.

For a step-by-step guide on how to apply, check out this video. For more details on the CCB itself, watch the overview here.

Update on the Business Council and Classifieds

Exciting news—mark your calendars! The official launch of the South African Business Council will take place in November. We’re gearing up to create a network where South African entrepreneurs in Vancouver can connect, share resources, and support each other. If you’re interested in getting involved, stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

Now, for something delicious…

Get Ready for Game Day with the Netvleish Rugby Box

With some big Springbok games coming up in November, it’s time to gear up for your game-day feast. The Netvleish Rugby Box has all the essentials you need to keep the snacks flowing while you cheer on the Boks. Whether you’re having a braai with friends or watching the match solo, this box has you covered.

What’s in the Box?
The Rugby Box is packed with all your South African favorites:

Chilli Bites
Biltong
Droëwors
Chutney Biltong Sticks
Cabanossi

It’s a proper taste of home, delivered right here in Canada. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing the goodness, the Rugby Box will bring that familiar flavor to your game day.