What a week to be South African — and not just for the rugby.

From a Grammy-winning musical powerhouse to a 54–7 Springbok showstopper, we’re riding high on global greatness. But it’s not just glory we’re serving up this week. We’ve also got:

This edition is full of smart, shareable, seriously useful stuff — the kind that saves money, sparks curiosity, and reminds you why this whole SA-in-the-UK journey is worth it.

So grab your favourite mug, sit back, and soak up the good stuff.

It’s a low-key life upgrade — and a reminder that even a little spring cleaning can feel like a fresh start.

We’ve got a high-octane lineup this weekend and beyond — whether you're into tennis whites, burning rubber, or scenic cycles through the Alps.

It’s the UK’s fastest weekend of the year. Expect drama, decibels, and a sold-out Silverstone as Formula One roars into town. Even if you’re not trackside, pubs and public screens will be buzzing. Get the snacks in — it’s going to be loud.

The world’s most famous cycling race kicked off this week, with riders tackling jaw-dropping scenery, punishing climbs, and the occasional Champagne toast. You can follow every stage from the UK online or on TV — or just use it as inspiration to dust off your own bike and go explore.

The strawberries are fresh, the crowds are polite, and the tennis is world-class. Wimbledon runs until 13 July — perfect for a gentle garden watch party or catching highlights over a cuppa.

She’s 22, proudly South African — and making music history. Tyla, the Johannesburg-born singer behind the viral hit Water, is officially the youngest African artist ever to win a Grammy Award.

That’s not all. In just the past year, she’s scooped up awards from MTV, BET, Billboard, and back home at the SAMAs — with nods from the Brits, Ivors, and Soul Train Awards to boot. Her style? Effortless. Her music? Impossible to ignore. Her impact? Global.

Whether or not she’s on your playlist, Tyla’s rise is something every South African can be proud of. She’s showing the world what’s possible — and doing it with flair.

While Tyla’s lighting up stages, the Springboks lit up the scoreboard with a crushing 54–7 win over the Barbarians at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium — their first game of 2025. The Boks led 19–0 by halftime and didn’t look back.

The Barbarians are no small fry — a touring team made up of rugby legends from over 25 countries. But the Boks gave them a warm welcome… and a solid lesson. If you needed a morale boost this week, consider it delivered.

This summer, forget the shopping mall. There’s a whole world of weirdly wonderful outdoor fun that doesn’t cost the earth — and might just change your weekend game forever.

It’s a global treasure hunt, and it’s free. All you need is a smartphone and the Geocaching app. You’ll be led to hidden containers (“caches”) stashed in parks, urban corners, forests — even coastal cliffs. Great for solo explorers, families, or impressing a new friend.

Get connected to nature and dinner. Foraging walks (some free, some under £20) pop up across the UK in summer. Learn to spot edible mushrooms, wild herbs, and berries. Start with Wild Food UK or follow @WildFoodUK on X for tips near you.

Check @VisitEngland and your council’s events page for free and low-cost festivals near you. From food trucks to folk music, there’s always something happening — often just a bus ride away. Use Citymapper to find cheap transport options and make a day of it.

This weekend, a group of UK-based South Africans are hosting a warm, inclusive gathering called Celebraaition — where community spirit, lekker food, and shared stories take centre stage. It’s still low-key, but growing fast.

📍 We'll share more as the next event is confirmed. Keep an eye on SA Connect UK and our socials if you’re keen to connect in person.

Want to learn something new, switch careers, or just feed your brain — without paying a cent? If you’re a UK resident (including those with settled or pre-settled status), you’ve got access to a huge range of free online courses, many of them offering certificates on completion.

👉 open.edu/openlearn
Hundreds of free short courses — from creative writing to finance, psychology to history. Self-paced, no sign-up hassle.

👉 futurelearn.com
Includes free courses from UK universities, NHS England, and major employers. You can pay for certificates — but learning is free.

👉 nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Focused on digital skills, job readiness, and career development. Great if you’re job-hunting or changing fields.

These global platforms offer free versions of many top university courses — including from Oxford, Harvard, and Imperial College London. You can audit them for free and only pay if you want the certificate.

Here’s a peek at what’s cooking for the 12 July edition:

It’s funky, it’s scenic, and it’s Time Out’s top UK destination for 2025. We’ll show you how to enjoy Folkestone’s creative coastal charm on a budget — from art walks and sea swims to vintage shops and epic chips.

We’re launching the UK Braai Index — because if you can’t light a fire under a cloudy sky, are you even really South African? Weather, tips, and recipes incoming.

A fresh batch of life hacks and resources to stretch your thinking, simplify your day, and get more from your UK adventure — without burnout or boredom.

We won’t spoil the surprise just yet… but next week’s recipe is a crowd-pleaser. Sweet, nostalgic, and totally worth switching the kettle off for.

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This newsletter’s been full of action — Grammy wins, Bokke triumphs, outdoor adventures, secret decluttering hacks, and free learning for anyone hungry to grow.

But here’s the thing:
We don’t just send these out for fun (although we do have fun making them).

We pack every issue with real, practical, proven resources — things that genuinely help South Africans living in the UK settle in, save money, and feel more at home.

So if you’ve ever read one of these and thought, “That’s actually really useful,” — why not share it with a friend?

Because chances are, someone you know could really use this kind of help. And hey, the more of us that connect, the better this all becomes.

Till next week —
Keep thriving. Keep sharing. Keep your inner Springbok proud.