Hello friends, and welcome back. Each week we bring you the stories, tips, and resources to help you thrive here in the UK — and yes, we’re here to help you find jobs, too.

This edition has plenty to tuck into: three secret London gems you’ve probably walked past, a braai side that upstages the mains, and a festival so huge it turns an entire city into a living canvas of colour.

And because many South Africans are understandably concerned about the changing rules, we’ve put together a FREE SPECIAL REPORT on UK Immigration Developments for 2025.

It’s short, clear, and tells you exactly what you need to know — no waffle, just the facts that matter. Share it with a friend who might need it too. If they’re not subscribed yet, they’ll need to sign up to read the full report.

PS: We’ve just opened our very own SA Connect UK Shop — a little slice of home, now just a click away. Think Ouma rusks, Mrs Balls, biltong, and more. Scroll down to take a peek!

If you live in a UK city or town with high demand for parking — think London, Manchester, Birmingham, or even smaller tourist-heavy spots like Bath or York — you can turn your unused driveway, garage, or private parking space into a serious money-maker. Many people don’t realise the goldmine sitting right outside their home, especially in areas where parking is scarce or expensive.

👉 Platforms like JustPark and YourParkingSpace make it easy to list your spot, set your price, and earn passive income. Some homeowners in London report making hundreds per month simply by renting out their driveway.

Just when you thought festival season was winding down, here comes another one — and it’s not just any festival. It’s the biggest street event in Europe, it’s the best-known celebration of Caribbean culture in the UK, and the best part? It’s free.

From 23–25 August, the streets of Notting Hill explode into a living canvas of feathers, floats, food, and music. Over two million people flock here every year to soak up the energy:

🚌 Travel tip: Leave the car at home. Local roads are closed, and the Tube stations get packed. Use public transport and plan ahead.

📍 If you’ve never been, this is one of those only-in-London experiences. A whole city transformed into pure joy, colour, and rhythm.

At just 19 years and 93 days old, Lhuan-dre Pretorius has written his name into the history books.

On his Test debut against Zimbabwe, he smashed 153 runs, becoming South Africa’s youngest-ever Test centurion and breaking a record that had stood for 61 years since the days of Graeme Pollock.

Since then, Pretorius has lit up the cricket scene, dazzling in the SA20 tournament for the Paarl Royals with a strike rate over 166 and a highest score of 97. It’s the kind of form that turns heads — proving he’s not just steady, he’s spectacular.

For South Africans in the UK, it’s something to cheer about: one of our own, rising fast on the world stage. Keep an eye on this young star — you’ll be able to say you spotted him long before he became a household name.

We promised you a hidden gem, a secret place. But why stop at one? Bada bing, bada boom — here are three magical London spots you’ve probably walked past without realising the treasures inside:

Next time you’re in London, duck behind one of these doors. They’re the kind of discoveries that make you feel like you’ve cracked the city’s secret code.

Let’s be honest: a plain garden salad at a braai is usually the dish nobody touches. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few clever twists, you can turn the “afterthought” salad into the star of the table.

Here’s how to jazz it up:

Do that, and suddenly your salad has everything but the kitchen sink (and if we could fit that in, we probably would).

👉 Next braai, don’t just serve a salad. Serve the salad that people fight over.

We’ve just launched the SA Connect UK Shop — a one-stop online store packed with the South African goodies you’ve been missing.

From Ouma rusks to Mrs Balls chutney, biltong to pantry staples, it’s a little taste of home delivered to your door in the UK.

Whether you’re planning a braai, craving a snack, or looking for a gift, the shop is here to keep you connected to the flavours you love.

If there’s one thing we hear time and again, it’s how tough job hunting can be in the UK. The culture’s different, the competition is fierce, and getting through those online application systems feels like trying to sneak past a guard dog with a torch.

Here’s the good news: while employers have been using AI to filter applicants for years, the tide is turning. Now job seekers can use AI too — and it might just give you the edge you need. South Africans are known for their strong work ethic (once we land the job, we shine), but the challenge is getting in the door. These tools can help:

👉 Bottom line: Whether you’re blasting out applications or carefully tailoring each one, these AI helpers put some power back in your hands. Try the style that suits your hunt — and let UK employers discover what South Africans already know: we’re some of the hardest workers around.

There are things you can do in the UK that would be unthinkable back in South Africa — things you can do for free, out in the open, and they might just change how you spend your weekends. From hidden paths to secret harvests, it’s a whole world waiting to be explored.

We won’t give it away just yet (where’s the fun in that?), but trust us: once you know, you’ll want to grab your walking shoes — and maybe a basket. Don’t miss it.

That’s it for this week’s SA Connect UK. We put these together because we know how tough, exciting, and sometimes lonely it can feel building a life here in the UK. If you smiled, learned something, or felt a little closer to home today, then we’ve done our job.

If you’ve got a friend who’d love this too, please share SA Connect UK with them — it’s how our little community grows stronger, one story at a time.

Until next Saturday, take care and keep well.

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