BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND
Same sun,
different soil
Young Australian Southern African Society
YASAS is a professional networking group for southern Africans living and working in Brisbane. We gather quarterly to share stories, opportunities, and a sense of home.
About YASAS
YASAS is a professional networking group for southern Africans living and working in Queensland. We gather quarterly to share stories, opportunities, and a sense of home.
Connect
Meet southern Africans across industries — from accounting and finance to tech, health, and trades. Build a network that understands where you’re coming from.
Belong
Share experiences of building a career and life in Queensland. Whether you arrived last year or last decade, Yasas is a familiar space in a new place.
Grow
Exchange referrals, advice, and opportunities with people who get the context. Quarterly events kept purposefully small so every conversation counts.
Events
We meet quarterly in the months of January, April, July, and October.
Next Event
| Date | 24 July 2026 | |
| Location | Felons Brewing Co, Howard Smith Wharves | 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000 |
| Time | 4:30 p.m. |
Ready to find your people?
Sign up and we’ll be in touch with the next event invitation. No commitments. Just a quarterly gathering worth showing up for.
Thank you! Dankie! Ngiyabonga! Tangi unene! Ke a leboga! Zikomo! Ndatenda!
We look forward to seeing you at our next event.
Register
Details of our next event are below. If you would like to come, complete and submit the form below to let us know you're coming.
| Date | 24 July 2026 | |
| Location | Fellons Brewing Co, Howard Smith Wharves | 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000 |
| Time | 4:30 p.m. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
YASAS is a professional networking group for southern Africans living and working in Queensland. We gather quarterly to share stories, opportunities, and a sense of home.
What is the purpose of the network?
The aim of YASAS is to support one another as we build our lives and careers in Australia, creating a trusted network for advice, referrals, and connection. Some of us have been here for months, others for years and some were born here with a strong connection through family. Different cultures and countries do things differently and Australia is no exception. We aim to help each other navigating these surrounds, particularly in business, to support mutual success.
Why do I need a network?
The value of a broad professional network is in knowing people before you need them, and being able to approach them for informal advice and referrals to trusted parties. Critical in any business or career.
Does the "young" in YASAS mean the network is limited to younger people?
No. It means we are "new" Australians. Age is not a barrier. We enjoy having a mixed and varied member base, from students and graduates to seasoned operators.
How does this network differentiate itself from other Brisbane business groups?
We are made up exclusively of Southern Africans creating a more natural, high trust environment with mutual roots. You would be surprised how natural it can feel being around others from your background when you have been in Australia for a while, and finding people who understand you and your situation.
Do I need to be from South Africa to be a member?
No, we welcome Southern Africans. That includes Angolans, Basothos, Botswanans, Malawians, Mozambicans, Namibians, South Africans, Swazis, Zambians, Zimbabweans, and generally anyone else that shares in our broader culture. That includes people with strong family ties to Southern Africa, or that were raised overseas in our culture and want to get to know their people.
Is this a formal or informal networking group?
We are informal and aim to keep it that way. We meet for drinks once a quarter (see our website for upcoming dates).
What do I get out of it?
Members build trusted relationships, gain access to referrals and advice, and connect with like-minded professionals navigating similar challenges in Australia.
Who typically attends?
Our members range from early-career professionals to experienced operators, and business owners across a variety of industries.
What happens at an event?
Informal networking over drinks, introductions to new members, and an opportunity to connect with others in a relaxed setting. We typically have a small, focused group which keeps the environment relaxed and allows for meaningful connection.
Is this just a group of "when-we's" who want to hang out with other Saffas?
We are not "when-we's" we are "here nows". While we have strong roots and bring our own unique culture with us, we are actively looking to apply ourselves and build something where we are.
Praat julle Afrikaans, or is it English only?
Our members speak a variety of languages, and you will find native Afrikaans, English and German speakers with most people being bilingual.
Is the network only for people who work in the city or of a certain profession? What sort of industries are represented within the network?
Not at all, we pride ourselves on having a mixed group of people across professional services, manufacturing and trades, the medical field to name a few.
Do you facilitate Introductions?
Yes. While most introductions happen naturally, we’re happy to help connect members where there’s a clear alignment.
I am with group "X" that does events, I make "X' product or otherwise have an interest in your group, would you be interested in working together? Can I co-host an event?
Feel free to reach out on our email: [email protected] and let's have a chat.
Can I promote my business through your network? Can i feature in newsletters or communications?
Sponsorships (starting from $200) support our events and provide visibility through our website and communications.
Is this just social or business focused?
It’s a mix of both. Strong relationships come first, but the goal is to support each other professionally and create real opportunities.
Do you organise cultural events alongside business networking?
Whilst our events can't be separated from our culture, we do not currently organise specific cultural events and we are focused on the business network, though we are happy to partner with people that do and may do so in the future.
Is there a fee for events or membership?
No. So far we have been lucky enough to get through with support from our network and aim to keep it this way.
Can I attend before getting involved?
Absolutely, come along to an event and see if it is a good fit. You can always unsubscribe from the emails at any time.
How do I get involved or stay in touch?
Sign up to the email and come to an event! We are always open to new members.
Sponsors
YASAS runs on goodwill. Our events are free to attend. Sponsorship is what keeps it that way. Sponsors contribute to the event costs so members can simply show up, connect, and feel at home.
We think of it the way we'd think of shouting a round at the pub. A sponsor isn't a business buying ad space. A sponsor is a member or friend of the network helping to make events possible so everyone can gather. It's community support, not advertising, and it's how a good catch up stays free.
We're grateful to the following people and businesses keeping the lights on and the community growing:
We help Australian businesses improve performance, increase profitability and achieve sustainable growth through execution-led advisory and raising strategic capital.
We provide comprehensive accounting, tax, and business advisory services to help growing companies make strategic decisions, optimise operations, and navigate complexity.