Happy Very, Very Good Friday (soon), Saffas!
Spring’s blooming, Easter’s here, and we’ve got a long weekend to soak up the sun (or dodge the drizzle).
Think hot cross buns, egg hunts, and a cracking good time—UK-style with a South African twist. The kids are going to love this!
Bank Holidays in the UK vs. Public Holidays in SA
In the UK, they’re called bank holidays, starting in 1871 when banks closed. You get 8-10 depending on the region—England and Wales have 8 (like Good Friday on 18 April 2025 for a long weekend), Scotland has 9, and Northern Ireland has 10.
Think quiet streets and pub lunches.
In South Africa, they’re public holidays—12 special days like Freedom Day and Good Friday to celebrate or relax.
Plus, if one falls on a Sunday, Monday’s off too, making 13 days in 2025!
Miss home? Host a Good Friday fish supper and tell us how it goes!
Here’s the full UK lineup for your diary:
1 January – New Year’s Day (Wednesday) – Kicked off 2025 with a snooze!
18 April – Good Friday (Friday) – Long weekend, anyone?
21 April – Easter Monday (Monday) – Extra day for hot cross buns!
5 May – Early May Bank Holiday (Monday) – Spring vibes in bloom.
26 May – Spring Bank Holiday (Monday) – Picnic season’s calling.
25 August – Summer Bank Holiday (Monday) – Last summer hurrah.
25 December – Christmas Day (Thursday) – Festive feasts await.
26 December – Boxing Day (Friday) – Leftovers and lazy days.
Kids Eat Free (or Nearly!) – Your Holiday Lifesaver
School holidays are here, and keeping the little ones fed without breaking the bank can feel like a mission. Good news—we’ve sniffed out some cracking deals across the UK where kids eat free (or for a quid!) during the April 2025 break. More cash for you, more fun for them—win-win! Here’s the scoop:
Casual Spots to Grab a Bite
Pizza Express: Kids under 12 eat free with your main—perfect for a pizza night from April 7 to 24.
Franky & Benny’s: Free kids’ meals all day with your main, March 31 to April 27. Date night AND a happy kid? Sorted!
Prezzo: A free three-course kids’ meal (up to age 12) with your main, March 31 to April 27. Three courses? They’ll think it’s Christmas!
Zizzi: Free Bambini meal with your main, April 6 to 27 (not Saturdays)—ideal for a midweek treat.
Bella Italia: £1 kids’ meals with your main, 4-6 pm Sunday to Wednesday, or all day Thursday. Bargain!
Las Iguanas: Free kids’ meal with your main via their app. Download, order, done—easy peasy.
Yo! Sushi: Kids eat free Monday to Friday with your meal. Sushi fans, this one’s for you!
Pubs and Family Hangouts
Beefeater: Two kids scoff breakfast free with your brekkie. Fuel for the day!
Brewers Fayre: Two under-16s eat free breakfast with yours. Sleep in, then feast.
Farmhouse Inns: Two kids get a main and ice cream free with your main, April 7 to 25. Dessert included? Genius.
Hungry Horse: £1 kids’ meals on Mondays with your main. Monday blues, gone!
Sizzling Pubs: £1 kids’ meals Monday to Friday, 3-7 pm. Pub grub on a budget—lovely.
Cafes and Quick Stops
Asda Cafe: £1 kids’ meals all day, no adult buy needed. Pop in anytime!
Morrisons Cafe: Free kids’ meal with your £5+ meal. Cheap and cheerful.
Dobbies Garden Centres: Free kids’ meal with your breakfast or lunch. Plants and a full belly? Yes, please.
Dunelm Pausa Cafe: Kids eat free with every £4 you spend. Cushions and chips—what a combo!
IKEA: Kids’ meals from 95p, daily after 11 am. Meatballs for less? Brilliant.
On the Road
Premier Inn: Two under-16s eat breakfast free with yours. Road trip ready!
Travelodge: Two under-15s get free brekkie with you. Sleep cheap, eat cheaper.
Future Inns: Under-5s eat free with your meal. Little ones sorted!
Easter train travel made easy
Easter weekend (12-18 April) kicks off with trains packed tighter than a tin of sardines—Good Friday’s 18 April, and everyone’s on the move!
Book tickets now on National Rail for the 12th-18th window—prices spike closer to the date, and seats vanish fast.
Maybe grab a Railcard (£30/year) for 1/3 off fares if you’re exploring London to Brighton or beyond.
Bonus: Pack a flask of rooibos—beats overpriced station tea! Share your travel win with us-we’ll cheer you on!
New Travel Rules for SA-UK Dual Nationals (April 2025)
We published the full version of this as a FREE SPECIAL REPORT last sunday, but it’s a mouthful. Here’s a very short guide with just the essentials:
What’s Happening? New UK rules say dual nationals (like SA-UK folks) need a British passport to come back home easy-peasy.
No British Passport? Get one (£88.50) or pay £550 for a special sticker in your SA passport.
Visitors from SA? They need a £16 ETA pass now. Tell the family!
Hurry Up! You can sneak by with your SA passport for now, but not for long—fix it soon!
Announcement!
Huge shoutout to Jesse, one of our “connections” who pointed out “it’s illegal to enter and leave SA on another passport if you’re a SA citizen”. Thank you Jesse!
According to Section 26(B) of the South African Citizenship Act of 1995, South African citizens aged 18 and older are required to use a South African passport when entering or exiting the country.
This applies even if you hold dual citizenship. Failing to do so is considered a punishable offense, which could result in a fine or other penalties.
So, if you’re a South African citizen, you must use your South African passport for travel into and out of the country.
Trump tarrifs
South Africa’s facing 31% US tariffs—announced 2 April 2025—hitting cars, metals, and more.
No retaliation yet; negotiations for exemptions are on instead. With $2 billion in auto exports at stake, it’s a big Easter challenge!
How do you think this will affect South Africa?
The Biggest boat race
The Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race is a thrilling event that embodies the spirit of competition and camaraderie.
For nearly two centuries, these two esteemed universities have pushed themselves to the limit, showcasing athleticism, determination, and teamwork.
Whether you're a seasoned rowing enthusiast or just a fan of the excitement, the Boat Race is an unforgettable experience that brings people together.
Which team are you supporting this year?
Yummee Easter eggs
Easter’s sneaking up fast—Good Friday’s 18 April 2025, so we’ve got to nab those eggs before they vanish!
If you’re craving that South African fix, hit up your local SA shop for Beacon marshmallow or white chocolate eggs—pure nostalgia in every bite.
Sarah’s tip: Sainsbury’s and Tesco are stacked now, but they’ll clear out quick. Go soon—next week, it’ll be slim pickings!
What’s your plan—SA classics or UK grabs? Let me know!
Scatterlings of Africa
As we build new lives in the UK, we have a chance to create something even better than what we left behind.
Let's seize this opportunity together! One of the most powerful tools we have is building connections.
The more people we know, the more doors open, and the more support we can offer each other.
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