Ja, it’s September 17th, and although it’s still supposed to be fall, it feels like winter is knocking early this year. Honestly, the cold doesn’t really bug me too much—there’s something lekker about that crispness in the air. But if there’s one thing that always gets me about winter, it’s the short days. I can handle the cold, but it’s the lack of sunlight that makes things tricky.

What about you? What do you find the hardest about winter here?

In Today’s Mail:

• Upcoming Events

• Thought Of The Day - Holding On To Your Why

• South African Business Council: Moving Forward

Upcoming Events

Afrikaans Church Service & Bring & Braai

Date: September 22, 2024

At Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Mission, there will be a special Afrikaans Church service followed by a bring-and-braai before the rain rolls in. Pap and sauce will be provided—you just need to bring your own meat and invite your family and friends. It’s a lovely opportunity to connect with the community and enjoy some good food together.

Click here for more info

Vernon’s Potjie Cook-Off

Date: November 9, 2024

This is going to be a fun day out! Vernon’s Potjie Cook-Off, held on the long weekend, is a Potjiekos competition in Vernon, BC, filled with good food, great company, and some friendly rivalry. Whether you’re competing or just there to enjoy the meals, it’s sure to be a fantastic day. I’ll be there myself and looking forward to seeing who will be crowned Vernon’s Potjie King or Queen!

Click here for more info

If you know of any other South African Events please let me know at callie@southafricansinvancouver.ca so I can get them into the calendar.

Thought Of The Day - Holding On To Your Why

Immigrating is no small feat. It’s a long, challenging road filled with endless paperwork, waiting, and moments where you might start doubting if it’s all worth it. On those tough days, the most important thing you can do is hold on to your “why.”

Your “why” is the reason you made the decision to uproot your life and start this new journey. Whether it’s for your family’s future, new opportunities, or simply a fresh start, keeping that reason in mind is what helps you push through the struggle. There will be days when it feels like you’re not making any progress and that the finish line is far away, but don’t lose sight of why you started.

In this video I made back in 2022, during our own immigration journey, we were in a similar place—wondering if we’d ever get there. But we held on to our “why” and eventually, it worked out. So to those of you still on that path, remember: it’s not easy, but the end result is worth every sleepless night and every frustrating moment.

Hold on to your why, and keep moving forward. You’ll get there!

South African Business Council: Moving Forward

Last week, we asked for your thoughts on whether we should set up a South African Business Council here in Vancouver, and we received a very positive response! Thank you to everyone who participated in the poll. With such great feedback, we are excited to announce that we’re moving ahead with the planning.

The goal of the Business Council is to bring together South African entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals to share resources, collaborate, and support one another. We’re still in the early stages, but we’ll keep you posted as things progress. If you’re interested in getting involved or have any ideas to share, we’d love to hear from you!

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