Welcome, Saffas! Retail Therapy Calling!

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Troy Robins & Sarah Robins
March 22, 2025

Saffas in the UK, rejoice! Our upcoming FREE SPECIAL REPORT on Tuesday will list every South African shop we could find, complete with addresses.

From biltong to boerewors, satisfy your cravings. Happy shopping, Peeps! Stay tuned for the lekker details.

Curious about the difference between our PREMIUM and FREE SPECIAL REPORTS?

The PREMIUM SPECIAL REPORT, a cornerstone of SA Connect UK, delivers in-depth analysis and detailed information on important topics. It’s a labor of love, crafted with care, and yes, it costs us to produce. Meanwhile, our FREE SPECIAL REPORT is valuable information that we give to you for free.

SA vs. UK: Medical Aid versus NHS

South Africans new to the UK, accustomed to medical aid’s swift, premium care, can maximize NHS benefits with these steps.

  • Register with a GP immediately—bring your visa and proof of address; it’s free and your entry point.

  • Use NHS 111 for non-emergencies to avoid long A&E waits.

  • Expect slower elective care—waiting lists are common, unlike medical aid’s speed. Push (very gently!) for referrals if needed; persistence pays off.

  • Explore private options for faster specialist access, but NHS covers essentials free.

  • Download the NHS App for appointments and records. Embrace its universal care ethos—it’s not medical aid, but it’s solid if you navigate smartly.

Expat Life Hack: SA Snacks in the UK

If you’re missing home flavours you can swap fave brands with these UK replacements:

  • Instead of Ouma Rusks, try Hobnobs with coffee.

  • Replace Mrs Ball’s Chutney with Branston Pickle for a tangy kick.

  • Substitute Simba Chips with Walkers Crisps—Cheese Crunchy Wotsits mimics Nik Naks.

  • For Sparletta Creme Soda, grab Fentimans Curiosity Cola (less green, still creamy).

  • Use Tesco’s Coarse Polenta for Iwisa Maize Meal to make pap.

  • Swap All Gold Tomato Sauce with Heinz ketchup for braais.

  • And for Rooibos, Twinings Pure Redbush hits close. Lekker enough!

Saffa Spotlight: Expropriation Act of 2025

In South Africa, the Expropriation Act of 2025, signed into law in January, is making waves.

Replacing the 1975 apartheid-era law, it allows the government to seize land without compensation in specific cases to address historical inequities, sparking debate as the nation approaches late March 2025.

While the African National Congress touts it as a step toward equitable land reform—Black South Africans own just 4% of private farmland despite being 80% of the population—critics, including the Democratic Alliance, call it unconstitutional.

Tensions have flared internationally too, with U.S. President Trump cutting aid, citing alleged racial discrimination.

What’s On: Sun & Snooker

Clocks spring forward on March 30th for Daylight Saving Time—more evening light, less morning and losing an hour of sleep as we switch to BST.

It’s officially spring now! Woo hoo!

Plus, the 2025 Snooker Players Championship kicks off in Telford, bringing thrilling cues and epic breaks.

Get ready, Saffas—longer days and sport await!

Fun Stuff: Biltong or Jerky?

Biltong beats jerky with its tender, spice-kissed soul—vinegar-cured, air-dried, and bursting with SA grit.

Jerky’s tough, smoky chew lacks biltong’s depth. Saffas love biltong’s heritage—it’s resilience in every bite, a taste of home that inspires pride. Biltong reigns supreme!

True or false?

Talk to us

Our mission: empower Saffas in the the UK.

Tell us what you need—jobs, food, community? Don’t be shy—your voice shapes how we help you thrive. Let’s make it happen!

Catch our PREMIUM or FREE SPECIAL REPORTS every Tuesday—keep ‘em handy!

Plus, watch for our new rewards programme. Cheers!

We are ONLINE, with a full archive if you need to revisit an article or have it on a big screen. Here’s our website address: https://saconnectuk.beehiiv.com/

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