Yes, I know—it’s Monday, and you weren’t expecting this newsletter till tomorrow. We’re shaking things up a bit! Turns out, Monday just works better—especially with orders going out from The South African Shop on Tuesdays. This way, if we run a special, you’ve got time to grab it before the week disappears in a blur of work, school runs, and wondering how it’s already nearly April. Look at us, thinking ahead.

Anyway, I was reading another newsletter this week, and something in it really stuck with me. It was this idea from the Navy SEALs called FULL BENEFIT.

What does FULL BENEFIT mean?
In SEAL training, when things get tough—when they’re cold, exhausted, and everything is going wrong—they don’t complain. Instead, they shout “FULL BENEFIT!” to remind themselves that every struggle is an opportunity to get stronger. Instead of resisting the hardship, they embrace it, knowing that pushing through will make them better.

And it hit me—if ever there was a group of people who could use this mindset, it’s immigrants.

Think about it. You move to a new country, full of hopes and dreams, only to find yourself knee-deep in forms, paperwork, and government websites that seem to have been designed for maximum confusion. You submit an application, and then… nothing. Just endless waiting, checking your emails like a teenager with a crush, hoping for an update. Some days, it feels like a constant uphill battle. But what if we looked at it differently?

• ✅ The first time you drove in the snow and slid through a stop sign? FULL BENEFIT!

  ✅ Filling out your umpteenth form just to prove, once again, that you exist? FULL BENEFIT!

  ✅ Applying for 100 jobs and getting ghosted by 95 of them? FULL BENEFIT!

  ✅ Missing family and friends so much that it physically hurts? FULL BENEFIT!

It’s not easy, but every challenge is shaping something in us. If we push through, we don’t just survive—we adapt, grow, and become tougher than we ever thought possible. And one day, you’ll look back at the things that used to stress you out and wonder what all the fuss was about.

So the next time Canada throws you a seemingly impossible challenge, don’t panic. Take a deep breath, remind yourself you’re in training for something bigger, and reap the FULL BENEFIT.

📢 In This Week’s Newsletter

• Upcoming Events

• Community Feature: Fireproofing Your Marriage Through Immigration

•  SAFFA Spotlight: Dilesh Soni – What Recruiters Look for on LinkedIn & CVs

• Founding Members: Get a Little Taste of the Perks!

• Classifieds: Job Opportunity

Upcoming Events

March is in full swing, and there’s plenty happening in the SA community! Whether you’re in the mood for a lekker kuier, some proper South African food, or a bit of cultural inspiration, we’ve got you covered.

• 🍻 SAFFA Pub Night – TONIGHT @ 18:00,📍 Sailor Hagar’s, North Vancouver

  It’s time for a cold one and a good chat with fellow SAFFAs! See you all at Sailor Hagar’s tonight!

• 🌍 South African Street Food Buffet – March 22

  Ever crave bunny chow or a proper Kota? This street food buffet is your chance to dig into all the flavors you’ve been missing. [Get the details here.] (I’ll be there too—come say howzit!)

• 🖤 Black History Month Celebration – March 22

  A special event to honor and celebrate Black history and culture, featuring music, storytelling, and a rich cultural experience. [Find out more.]

• 👗 African Fashion Week Vancouver – March 22

  Showcasing stunning African designs and fashion trends, this is a must-see for anyone who loves style with a cultural twist. [More info here.]

Community Feature: Fireproofing Your Marriage Through Immigration

Immigration isn’t just about visas, job searches, and learning how to shovel snow—it’s also a massive test for relationships. The stress of uprooting your life, leaving family behind, and adjusting to a new country can put even the strongest marriages under pressure.

This week, Daneka van Niekerk shared an incredibly honest and insightful piece about how she and her husband worked to fireproof their marriage through the chaos of moving to Canada.

She talks about:
💬 The tough conversations no one warns you about
❤️ How to stay connected when everything feels like it’s falling apart
📅 Why awkward date nights can actually save your marriage

If you’ve ever felt the strain of immigration on your relationship, this one’s worth a read.

👉 Read the full article here.

SAFFA Spotlight: Dilesh Soni – What Recruiters Look for on LinkedIn & CVs

Finding a job in Canada isn’t always straightforward—especially when it comes to figuring out what recruiters actually want to see on your LinkedIn profile and CV.

This week’s SAFFA Spotlight features Dilesh Soni, a senior recruiter based in Vancouver, who specializes in hiring for top-level positions. In this video, we chat about:

✅ What makes a LinkedIn profile stand out
📄 Common CV mistakes that could be costing you interviews
🎯 How to position yourself for better job opportunities in Canada

If you’re job hunting—or just want to make sure your profile is recruiter-ready—you don’t want to miss this!

👉 Watch the video here.

Founding Members: Get a Little Taste of the Perks!

One of the perks of being a Founding Member of the South African Institute of Canada is getting all your favourite South African goodies at cost from The South African Shop—because supporting our community means looking out for each other.

Today only, we’re giving everyone a taste of this perk!

💥 Use code FOUNDER20 at checkout to get 20% off your order at TheSouthAfricanShop.ca.

🕛 Hurry! This discount disappears at 11:59 PM tomorrow!

If you’ve been eyeing some Ouma rusks, Rooibos, or Mrs. Balls, now’s the time. And if you love the savings, maybe it’s time to become a Founding Member and enjoy discounts like this all year round. 😉

👉 Shop now!

Classifieds: Job Opportunity

Norwescan Motors is looking for a receptionist to join their team! If you’re organized, friendly, and great with people, this could be the perfect role for you.

💼 Receptionist Position Available at Norwescan Motors
📍 Location: 110-8233 Sherbrooke Street, Vancouver
⏰ Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
💰 Pay: $20 CAD per hour.

📩 To Apply: Send your CV to [email protected]

(If you have job openings or classifieds, send them through for the next newsletter!)

That’s a Wrap!

That’s it for this week—lots happening, lots to get involved in, and hopefully, a little something that made you think.

As always, stay awesome, stay cool, and keep looking out for each other. And if you see me at SAFFA Pub Night tonight, come say howzit!

Cheers,

Callie