We headed up to Vernon for the Potjie Cook-Off, and a lot of fun was had! The vibe was incredible – loads of people, lekker potjies everywhere you looked, and just the best company. We met so many amazing folks, even some from Langley who also made the trek! It’s just wonderful how good food and a well-organized event can bring people together.

One of the highlights? Chatting with Christian, who was cooking up a moose potjie from a moose he had hunted himself – with the antlers of the actual moose being cooked displayed at his stand! He had plenty of advice on how to get started with moose hunting. Needless to say, I’ll be out there next year, ready for my own moose adventure. Wonder what moose biltong would taste like… 😉

And the best part? Our “adult” teenage kids decided to join us for a change! Having them there just made it all the more special – a proper family road-trip.

After Saturday’s potjie feast and all the laughs, we made our way to Mid-Town Station Kitchen + Drink in Kelowna on Sunday to catch the rugby. Who knew you could get a Boerie breakfast while watching rugby in the Okanagan? Doesn’t get much better than that.

The South African community out there is really something special – a whole mix of people, Canadians and expats alike, coming together for a great time. It’s moments like these that just remind you how connected we all are, no matter where we’re from.

Check out the video of the event »>Here«< and some more pics over »>Here«<

In This Weeks Newsletter

• Upcoming Events

• Canada Summer Jobs Programme – Calling Young South Africans!

• Exciting News from the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) and Howzit Canada!

• Classifieds

Upcoming Events

• South African Film Festival – November 7-17

  The festival’s still going strong! Perfect excuse to cozy up at home and watch some amazing South African films that’ll take you right back. [Check out the lineup here].

• Springboks vs England – November 16, 9:40 AM

  Get ready, Boks fans! Our boys are facing off against England, and I’ll be watching at Dublin Calling in Vancouver. Come join me – let’s make some noise and cheer on the green and gold together!

• Menopause Matters: Thrive Through Change – November 20, 6:15 PM - 9:45 PM

  If you or someone you know is navigating the big M, this event’s got you covered. Talks, a Q&A, and even a “Hormone Happy Hour” to get some solid info in a relaxed setting. [Get your tickets here].

• Christmas Dinner – Coming Soon!

  We’re busy planning a festive Christmas Dinner in North Van to bring everyone together for some holiday fun. Keep an eye out – details are on the way soon!

Know of any other upcoming events that our South African community would love? Hit reply and let us know! We’re always keen to spread the word and make sure no one misses out on a fun time.

Canada Summer Jobs Programme – Calling All Young South Africans!

We’ve got an exciting opportunity to share with you! The Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy program is designed to help young people that are Permanent Residents or Citizens (ages 15 to 30) gain real work experience over the summer, and we at the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) are planning to get in on it!

We’re applying to bring a few interns on board next summer, and we’re looking for South African youth who’d love to join us. Here are the roles we’re looking to fill – and no worries if you’re new to these areas, we’ll give you plenty of hands-on training along the way:

• Digital Marketing / Social Media Marketing – Ready to dive into the world of online marketing? We’ll guide you every step of the way.

• Administration – If organizing things is your superpower, come help us keep SAIC running smoothly – we’ll show you all the tricks.

• Event Management – Roll up your sleeves and help us bring events to life! You’ll learn everything from planning to coordination.

• Promotion – We’re looking for folks to take our marketing materials around Vancouver, chat to people, and sign up new members. Great chance to learn community outreach and promotion!

• Content Creation – Love creating video or social media content? We’d love your help capturing the magic of Vancouver with a South African twist.

If you know any young South Africans interested in possible summer work, have them send their CV our way. We’ll be providing on-the-job training to help them build skills they can carry forward, so it’s a win-win! Get those CVs to us by December 12 so we can get applications submitted in time.

NB: it is entirely up to the grant processor whether we will be approved for any wage subsidies and we will only be able to hire if we are.

For more details on the Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy program, click here.

Exciting News from the South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) and Howzit Canada!

Big news, everyone – we’re official! The South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) is now a registered non-profit, and we’re ready to get things rolling. Lois has been putting in the hard work, signing up volunteers, and getting everything organized. Our logo and brand are in the design stage, and the website’s on its way – domains are locked down, and things are moving fast!

Of course, all of this doesn’t come cheap. To keep things going, we’re introducing a Founding Family Membership for $120/year per family (paid upfront).

And here’s what you get as a Founding Family Member:

1. Monthly South African Goods Shopping at Cost Price – Each month, we’ll send out a list of all the lekker South African treats available in Canada, and as a Family Founding Member, you’ll get to buy them at cost price – that’s 20% to 25% less than you’d pay anywhere else! If you’re in Greater Vancouver, we’ll deliver right to your door for just $10. If you’re further out, no worries – there’ll be a shipping fee, but we’ll always make sure you get the best rate, no hidden costs.

2. Recognition on the SAIC Website and Socials– As a Family Founding Member, your name (or family name) will be listed on our website, forever marked as one of the people who helped get SAIC off the ground. Think of it as a badge of honor for supporting our community from the start!

So, if you’re keen to join us and be part of this new chapter, click the link below to become a founding member. Let’s build this community together!

Classifieds

• Dog Sitter Needed over Dec/Jan
  Nikki is looking for a trusty, dog-loving sitter for their Golden Retriever, Bryan, over December and January. If you’re a big fan of furry friends and can help out, hit reply and let us know!

• Set of 4 Proper Winter Tires on Steel Rims for Sale
  For a Ford Edge – only used for two seasons before we had that run-in with a deer this summer! 😉 Perfect condition and ready for winter. I’ll even help you put them on. Continental IceContact XTRM - 245/60R18 109T XL - Only $1000