When South Africans move to Canada, they don’t just leave behind family, culture, and familiar surroundings — they leave behind a network that took a lifetime to build. The South African Institute of Canada (SAIC) exists to rebuild that network — faster, stronger, and tailored for life on this side of the world.
Founded by South African expats who’ve lived the experience themselves, SAIC is a not-for-profit community organization built on one simple mission: to help South Africans flourish in Canada — not just survive it.
Whether you’re newly arrived or have been here for years, the SAIC is here to help you plug in, meet people, build a support system, and navigate Canadian life with confidence. From practical tools to meaningful connections, SAIC is changing the way South Africans settle into Canada.
💡 A Community-Focused Innovation
What sets the South African Institute of Canada apart is how it blends grassroots energy with real structure. It’s not just a Facebook group. It’s not a corporate-looking government page. It’s a living, growing support system designed by South Africans, for South Africans — backed by real programs and platforms.
- HowzitCanada.ca: A national online directory connecting expats with South African-owned businesses, events, and resources.
- The Howzit Newsletter: A light-hearted, community-focused email full of events, opportunities, and inside jokes only a South African would understand.
- Volunteer-led programs that help expats find work, start businesses, and stay connected — including SAFA Jobs Canada for job seekers and employers.
Everything is designed to short-circuit the long, lonely process of rebuilding your life and community from scratch.
🌍 A Global Diaspora With Local Heart
While the Institute’s heart beats in Vancouver, its reach extends nationwide — from Alberta to Ontario to small-town British Columbia. With founding members supporting from across the country, SAIC is rapidly becoming the hub of South African life in Canada.
“We’re not here to turn Canada into South Africa,” says founder Callie Van Graan.
“We’re here to help South Africans make Canada feel like home.”
📌 Learn More / Get Involved
The Institute is growing fast — and like most things in the South African spirit, it runs on community support.
Want to join the movement, support it, or just find a place where people still know what a ‘robot’ is?
👉 Visit https://thesouthafricaninstitute.ca
👉 Explore the community platform: https://howzitcanada.ca
