Nanaimo: SA Barbecue, 18 Sep

[Cathy K 1,139]

This event is more than just a picnic - it's a reunion for expatriate South Africans.

Everyone is welcome at the picnic shelter at Bowen Park on Sept 18, from 3pm to 8pm.

Picnickers should bring along some meat to feed their family, drinks, cutlery and chairs for themselves.

Those whose surnames start with A - K, please bring along a salad. People whose surname starts with L - Z: a dessert will be much appreciated.

For info: 250 722-3185

[Sangoma 0]

Kotzes : how many South Africans in Nanaimo are there? apart from you Ive only met one other... any 20 to 30 year olds?

[Cathy K 1,139]

We'll find out at the picnic. We personally know quite a few, about thirty at the last count. Most of those that we know are pensioners or young couples with children. Let's hope the twenty something group will join us on the 18th.

See you there.

Cathy K.

[Sangoma 0]

Unfortunately I wont be able to make it... have to go to Vancouver for the weekend. Maybe next time :-)

[Cathy K 1,139]

Saturday's "Barbecue in the Park" organized by "old timers" (50-years-in-Canada) Kenneth and Fern Joubert of Cedar-by-the-Sea was a howling success. Any "Ex-South Africans" were welcome; costs were limited to $2 per family; salads and desserts were "shared" by all.

Over 60 people attended - including a huge bunch of kids and teens - who also had a lot of fun. Food was great and the smell of the "braaivleis" - sausages, steaks, even Boerewors - on the huge central cast iron stovetop, whet a lot of appetites.

The event started on Saturday afternoon at 3pm in a Nanaimo city park; using their huge picnic shelter - room for 100 - with indoor sheltered picnic tables and continued until after dark at 8pm. A lot of old friends re-met; a lot of new friendships were developed; a lot of good ideas about "settling into Canada" were shared. Retired seniors, Phyisiotherapists, Physicians, Authors and a host of other trades and professions were represented.

With more publicity - and more notice ahead of time - the gathering could have totalled about 400 folk. It was suggested that perhaps a "beatle drive" could provide all-age entertainment. Ken is looking into offering that feature next time.

Kenneth Joubert walks in the July 1st Canada Day flag parade each year bearing the SA and Canadian flags - all alone! Maybe next year a bigger contingent could carry the colours - to compete with the huge British Club group?

The event was enjoyed enough that some suggested (in humour!) that we "should do this weekly"!

Ken

Edited September 20, 2004 by Die Kotzé's