Growing up in South Africa, a white Christmas was something I only saw on TV. And the idea of heading into the bush to chop down your own Christmas tree? That was the stuff of Hollywood movies. So when we moved to Canada, it went straight onto my bucket list.

Last year, we got a real tree from the Scouts, but this year I decided we’re doing this properly. We’re going to find our own Christmas tree out in the bush! On Sunday, December 1st, I woke up feeling a bit fluish but thought, let’s do this anyway. I quickly hopped online, applied for a permit, and within 15 minutes—bam! Permit in hand. It was a sunny day, so I got the whole family in the car, and off we went, heading in the direction of Squamish just past the Britannia Mine Museum.

Now let me tell you, this wasn’t as straightforward as I thought. The map they give you is about as clear as mud, but I managed to find a Google Maps file that helped a lot. We parked, grabbed the saw, and started hiking. It was rough—up the mountain, through the bush—properly tiring. After some of searching and debating, we finally found the perfect tree. Or so we thought.

Here’s where it gets funny. While filling up at the gas station that morning, I got chatting to this Canadian guy. He says to me, “If I can give you one piece of advice: trees always look smaller outside. Pick a smaller one than you think you need.” Did I listen? Of course not. Turns out our “perfect” tree was way too big for the house, and we had to chop it down to size when we got home. Classic, right?

Oh, and somewhere along the trail, I managed to lose my glasses. Luckily, Belinda saved the day and found them after retracing our steps—what a champ! We passed about three other cars with trees on their roofs. Seems like everyone was out doing the same thing that day.

Now, our wild Christmas tree is standing proud in the living room. Sure, it’s not as full or perfect as the ones you’d buy, but it’s ours, and we’ll always remember the fun we had finding it. If you’ve never done it, I can’t recommend it enough—it’s such a lekker family outing and a proper Canadian experience.

Oh, and I even made a video of the whole adventure—check it out here!

In This Weeks Newsletter

• Upcoming Events & Outings

• Navigating the Job Hunt in Canada

• South African Institute of Canada Update

Upcoming Events & Outings

Alright, so here’s the thing—we don’t have any official South African events coming up at the moment. But instead of letting that get us down, I’ve been thinking: why not create our own little adventures?

What if we had a way to let each other know about outings or plans? Maybe you’re heading to see the Christmas lights in Coquitlam, going to a concert, or even just planning a casual picnic. It could be as simple as saying, “Hey, I’m going—who wants to join?”

Now, the big question is: how do we organize this? Should we set it up on the website? Use Facebook? Or maybe create a separate space for it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

In the meantime, if you have ideas for outings or events—or just feel like inviting some fellow South Africans along on your plans—email us at [email protected], and we’ll help spread the word.

So, what do you think? Is this something we should get going, and how should we make it happen? Let’s hear your ideas!

Navigating the Job Hunt in Canada

Written by Lois Webber

I’m honestly amazed at how many people have reached out to The South African Institute, sharing their struggles with finding employment here in Canada. It’s tough—many are here on work permits or have recently gained permanent resident status, only to find that getting called in for an interview is harder than expected. It’s frustrating, but you’re definitely not alone in this!

One of the biggest challenges is that most employers now use automated systems to screen resumes. These systems—like Jobvite, Workday, iCIMS, and ADP Recruiting—sort applications using keywords. The trick? Customize your cover letter and resume with those important keywords. It might sound a little techy, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be ahead of the game!

If all this tech stuff has you feeling a little overwhelmed, don’t worry—you’re not the only one. I felt the same when I started my journey. The good news is there’s help out there, and one of the best resources is Work BC. They’re amazing for newcomers, especially if you’re working on getting Canadian-recognized certifications. They offer job search assistance, language training, career counseling, financial support, and employment prep workshops. Check out the Work BC website for the Midtown West Vancouver branch—they’ve got fantastic resources!

And if you’re feeling really stuck, or just need someone (a fellow SAFFA) to talk to, Braam, one of our awesome volunteers, is happy to help. He’s been through it all and has some advice for landing a job in Canada. To get in touch, just email me at [email protected].

You’ve got this! And remember, there’s support to help you every step of the way. 😊

👉 Work BC Resources - Midtown West Vancouver Branch

South African Institute of Canada Update

Wow, can you believe it’s been one month since we launched the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC)? Honestly, it’s been incredible. The number of people signing up to volunteer, reaching out with questions, and just generally wanting to get involved has blown me away. Here’s a quick update on what’s been happening:

Holiday Connection Program: This program has been an absolute hit! It’s all about connecting newcomers with folks who’ve been here a bit longer to share advice, tips, and maybe even a meal. We’ve had lots of volunteers sign up, and the feedback so far has been amazing. If you’re new to Canada or just want to lend a hand, let us know!

Event Host Support Program: This is our newest program, and it’s all about helping South Africans host more events. Let’s be honest, organizing events can feel a bit overwhelming—the rules, the admin, the planning—it’s a lot. That’s where we step in. The program is here to:

• Help you promote your event to the community.

• Offer event planning guidance to make things easier.

• Take some of the load off so we can have more braais, networking meetups, and get-togethers!

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to host something, but I don’t even know where to start,” this program is for you. Just reach out to [email protected], and we’ll help you make it happen!

We’re also working on a bunch of other exciting things:

• Our website is still in the works, but we’re getting there.

• We’re designing SAIC gear and sticker packs—can’t wait to share them with you.

Right now, we’re focused on Vancouver, but come January, we’ll start looking at branching out to other areas across Canada.

It’s happening fast, and it’s growing even faster. If you’ve got ideas, advice, or just want to help out, we’d love to hear from you! Send an email to [email protected]a, and let’s keep building this amazing community together.