Summer’s in full swing — and whether you’re picking fruit, cheering at the telly, or wondering why your strawberries have taken over the fridge… you’re in good company.

This week’s edition is a feast of flavour, pride, and connection. We’re exploring the extraordinary (like SA’s quiet act of nuclear courage), the joyful (jam jars and garden salads), and the downright useful (like how to actually find an NHS dentist).

You’ll also meet South Africans smashing it at Wimbledon, discover the green wonderland of the Eden Project, and get a sneak peek at what’s brewing for next week (hint: fast cars, big wheels, and a community celebration you won’t want to miss).

So grab a cool drink, find a sunny spot, and settle in —
you belong here, and we’re so glad you’re with us.

Want to save money without changing a single thing about how you shop? Here’s a UK trick worth knowing:

Use a cashback app like TopCashback or Quidco when buying online. Just sign up, click through their site to your favourite retailers (think Amazon, Tesco, M&S, Booking.com…), and earn 1–10% cashback on your purchases.

It’s free, it works with other discounts, and you can rack up serious savings over time — often £100+ a year just for shopping as usual.

Tip: Watch for payout thresholds and always read the fine print. But once it’s set up, it’s like free money landing gently in your account. Ka-ching.

It’s that time of year again — strawberries, Pimms, and the glorious thwack of tennis balls on freshly mown grass. Wimbledon has officially begun!

Whether you're a centre-court devotee or just here for the snacks, it's one of the most charmingly British weeks of the year. And yes, everyone suddenly becomes an expert in tie-break rules and rain delays.

Watching from the UK? You can tune in live on BBC One and Two, stream it on iPlayer, or join a local pub screening (with commentary from the regulars included for free).

Want to experience the magic in person next year? Here’s the secret: The Queue — a very British ritual where you camp overnight, sip tea at dawn, and may just score a ticket to Centre Court.

It’s joyful. It’s dramatic. And it’s the one time you're allowed to eat dessert for lunch — so bring on the strawberries and cream.

It’s not just about strawberries and sunburns — two incredible South Africans are out there giving it their all on the grass courts this year:

🎾 Lloyd Harris
Cape Town-born and currently ranked in the top 150 globally, Lloyd Harris is no stranger to the Grand Slam spotlight. After battling through injury last season, he’s back with fire in his belly and that powerful serve South Africans have come to love. Keep an eye out — he’s a dangerous wildcard, especially on fast surfaces.

🎾 Kgothatso Montjane
An absolute icon in South African sport, KG is competing in the wheelchair singles and doubles at Wimbledon. A Paralympian, trailblazer, and multiple Grand Slam finalist, she continues to inspire with every match she plays. Her presence at Wimbledon is nothing short of history in motion.

So whether you're watching for the fashion, the finesse, or the full-on five-setters — know that our people are out there making waves, with racquets in hand and dreams on the line.

This Saturday, the Springboks return to the pitch for the first time since their 2024 Northern Hemisphere clean sweep — and they're kicking things off in style with a clash against a star-studded Barbarians side.

It’s a warm-up for their upcoming Tests against Italy and Georgia, but don’t let the “friendly” label fool you. This one’s packed with pride, pace, and points to prove.

🕒 Saturday 28 June | Springboks v Barbarians
Catch it live — kick-off times, team sheets, and how to watch here.

Whether you're in your Bok jersey, hiding a green scarf under your England coat, or just there for the braai snacks — you’ll want to see this one.

It’s a grim and frightening moment in world affairs. But it also brings to mind something remarkable — and deeply moving — about South Africa.

We are the only country in the world to have developed nuclear weapons, and then voluntarily dismantled them.

Not under pressure. Not after conflict. But by choice.

In the late 1970s and 80s, during apartheid, South Africa secretly built six nuclear warheads. But in 1989, under President F.W. de Klerk, the programme was halted. The weapons were dismantled and the facilities decommissioned — before South Africa joined the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons in 1991.

Inspectors came. Records were shown. Everything was accounted for.

It wasn’t perfect leadership, and the motives were mixed. But the result remains powerful:
South Africa is the only nation to have built nuclear arms and then walked away from them.

In a world full of escalation, that decision still stands as an act of courage — and a quiet kind of wisdom.

And that’s something every South African, wherever we are in the world, can feel proud of.

If you haven’t been to the Eden Project in Cornwall yet — move it up your list. It’s one of the UK’s most mind-blowing attractions: a vast green world tucked inside giant geodesic domes built in an old clay pit.

You’ll wander through a full rainforest (humidity and all), walk across canopy bridges, sip coffee in a Mediterranean garden, and marvel at the power of nature and design working in harmony. There’s even a zipline if you're feeling brave.

It’s a perfect day out — educational, inspiring, and absolutely unforgettable. And for South Africans missing big skies and lush landscapes, Eden offers a taste of home… with a twist.

📍 Cornwall | 🎟️ Tickets from £20.
edenproject.com

If you took our advice last week and went strawberry picking, chances are you’ve now got a kitchen full of berries and no idea what to do with them. Don’t worry — we’ve got you.

Here are two summery treats that are easy to whip up and guaranteed to go down a real treat while the sun’s still shining:

🥗 Strawberry & Watermelon Salad
Juicy, refreshing, and a little bit fancy.
Toss together chunks of watermelon, halved strawberries, crumbled feta, mint leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Serve chilled.
✅ Top tip: Add a sprinkle of toasted almonds for crunch.

🍯 Homemade Strawberry Jam
You only need strawberries, sugar, lemon juice — and a little patience.
Simmer 1kg chopped strawberries with 600g sugar and the juice of one lemon until thick and glossy (about 30–40 mins). Store in sterilised jars and enjoy on toast, scones, or straight from the spoon.

Two easy ways to bring a little summer joy to your table — and save those berries from the compost heap.

Finding a dentist in the UK can feel like pulling teeth — especially if you’re used to the rockstar care many South Africans had back home.

But here’s a brilliant shortcut: the NHS Dentist Finder tool. It lets you search by postcode and instantly shows which practices are currently accepting NHS patients.

No more cold-calling, dead ends, or wondering where to even start. It’s free to use, regularly updated, and one of those hidden gems that just makes life easier.

🔍 Find your nearest NHS dentist

Smile — help is just a click away.

🎓 Free Online Courses You Can Start Today
We’ll show you where to find world-class courses, totally free, right from your sofa. Learn new skills, boost your CV, or just feed that curious mind of yours.

🏁 For the Sport Lovers...
There’s thrilling international action on the way — fast-paced, high-stakes, and full of flag-waving pride. You’ll know exactly what to look out for.

🎉 A Celebration You Can’t Miss
Something special is brewing in the South African community — and if you’ve been looking for a chance to connect, this might just be it.

That’s it for this week — we hope you’re feeling a little more connected, a little more inspired, and possibly a little more strawberry-sticky than before.

Whether you’re tuning in for the tennis, plotting your next adventure, or just trying to keep the jam off the remote — we’re right here with you.

Thanks for being part of this growing South African crew in the UK. You make it something special.

Catch you next week — with new ideas, good stories, and maybe even a celebration or two.

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