The 50th Anniversary Gala Screening of ‘Zulu’ was held in London recently in the presence of HRH Prince Harry to raise funds for three charities, walking with the Wounded, The David Rattray Memorial Trust and Sentebale. It was very fitting to have one of South Africa’s great son’s Prince Mangosutho Buthelezi MP who played his maternal great-grandfather King Cetshwayo in the film as a guest of honour at the screening.

Love shopping? Why not spend a tenner and shop for free at Fashion Swap UK`s Launch next month! Your pre-loved items are swapped for new items! Plenty of Designer Samples, Tasty Food Vendors and Goodie Bags are also awaiting your arrival. Your shopping actually helps a charity back home! Come along and share the love!

After two sellout nights in 2013, Freshlyground returns to The Jazz Cafe in Camden for two nights in July

Zambezi Fest is a weekend long festival for Southern Africans and friends, set within 150 acres of Grendon Lakes in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside from 4 to 6 July. Thursday 3 July is free!

Unique and unparalleled like a brilliant, colourful summer’s day, Henri Matisse’s cut-outs are groundbreaking and mark him as one of the most significant colourists of all time.

The Krugerrand is 50-years old, which is a perfect anniversary to ask the question: Should I be investing in some myself?

Award winning South African musician Nicky Schrire has recently returned to live in London after five years living and performing in New York, where she graduated from the Manhattan School of Music.

The African Comedy Show is a monthly event that showcases top African comedians in the UK. This week’s line-up at South African comic Joey Rasdien.

Sibylla and Bruce Tindale bring out the flavours of the English countryside at the launch of their 2009 vintage sparkling wines with a ‘Sculpture in the Vineyards’ exhibition displaying the works of noted Surrey Hills artists

How many times have you heard of people leaving their jobs and changing their careers to something completely different? If you are reviewing your career and have a deep knowing that there is something else you should be doing but not sure what it is, there are various ways of finding what it is you want to do.

Divine intervention, coincidence or deliberately planned maybe, but for me this 42 is more likely the “Answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything”.

An earlier life raised in the sunshine and savannas of Zimbabwe manifests itself through Gordon’s use of palette and technique; it is like a puzzle of life above and below water, heaven and air. The coming together of forces to create is symbolised in many ways, from the male and female form, to the seeds and pods scattered throughout his work.

The London dinner on Nelson Mandela’s birthday was inspired by a House of Commons Tribute Book of messages to Mandela started in 1999 by Nic Careem. This book now contains over 700 handwritten messages, from Prime Ministers and Presidents to world famous celebrities, musicians and corporate leaders and will be presented to the people of South Africa during the dinner.

To deflect attention from the rumours that Tannie Evita is responsible for spending R246m on curtains for MaKhumalo Zuma’s tuck shop, she has been redeployed to Parliament, along with the leader of the EFF, who has introduced his presence to the National Assembly like a crimson gash of lipstick on an old nun’s crumbling facade.

Father Trevor Huddleston, priest, human rights activist, and leader in the anti-apartheid movement, provided Masekela with his first trumpet as a 14 year old pupil in South Africa. In this special event in London, Masekela reflects on his life and Huddleston’s legacy and plays music from his outstanding career.

Last week Reverend Mpho Tutu came to London to promote ‘The Book of Forgiving’ which she co-authored with her father Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Some of the best fun in South Africa happens outside, and perhaps our excellent street food has something to do with it. Here’s a round up of old favourites and a guide for newbies.

BOOK REVIEW | Zimbabwean writer Novuyo Rose Tshuma has set her first collection of short stories in Bulawayo and Johannesburg.

Two recent Home Office battles outline ongoing challenges with regards to the naturalisation of South Africans as UK citizens, as an unexpected language barrier seems to hinder the process

The South African High Commission in the UK invites you to a Fun Day at Allianz Park Stadium, home of Saracens Rugby Club, including a special performance by the band Freshlyground.

Start going through your wardrobe and bag up items which you have not worn in the past year. Be smart as every time you cull an item it means you receive a token to pick an item for free!

Zelda la Grange will launch her new book ‘Good Morning, Mr Mandela’ on Tuesday 24 June at the London School of Economics. ‘Good Morning, Mr Mandela’ is the extraordinary story of how a young woman had her life and everything she once believed in transformed by the greatest man of her time.

The SA Congregation Makietie provided a great day to enjoy the sun, good company, and everything South African

From the bushveld to the streets of Jozi and the beaches of Cape Town and beyond, some things announce before you do that you are a South African…

A powerful and disturbing film, beautifully shot, sensitively told and featuring a haunting soundtrack, Miners Shot Down paints a disturbing picture of the mechanisms of power in South Africa, where corporations make profits by exploiting the poorest.

Margot Knight meets Grant Fleming, whose photos of his time in South Africa were recently displayed at ‘The End of Apartheid’ exhibition in London

And we’re not just talking gelato and escargot (although you should keep those on your list!)

The Starfish wine tasting evening was a great success, raising £5,000 to support projects in South Africa

Right in the heart of last week’s Chelsea Flower Show, the UCT Trust welcomed alumni and friends to their fundraising event for the Schools Improvement Initiative, which aims to foster a pool of talented pupils and nurture them toward a place at university

Nine kilometres of cycling to two South African wine estates and a brandy distillery

Director Jonathan Munby speaks about how ‘A Human Being Died That Night’, playing at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, transcends the South African context with its extraordinary message.

Summer is here! The weather forecast predicts temperatures moving from 16 with rain, to 22 with sunny intervals, by the weekend in central London. As the weather warms and tourists flock to the capital the Fair Season begins.

Whether you love them or hate them, Simba NikNaks from SA might soon be a lot more difficult to get a hold of in the UK, as a dispute over trade mark infringement is trying to halt the import of the snacks

In ‘Mata Hari’, South African cabaret artist Aletia Upstairs tells the story of World War One’s most famous courtesan and exotic dancer, who was tried on charges of espionage and sentenced to death by firing squad. Her last hour is spent reflecting on her life.

The national elections may be yesterday’s news in South Africa, but expats around the world still have many questions concerning the mismanagement of the vote abroad. As hundreds did not get to cast their votes despite the best of intentions and efforts, inquiries examining the overseas vote are beginning to produce some initial answers

Service Works Global (SWG) leading provider of Integrated Workplace Management Solutions is expanding its Australian operation and is looking for experienced personnel for a variety of positions.

South African-born playwright, Nicholas Wright describes his play, ‘A Human Being Died That Night’ as a deeply personal play. He spoke to Sandi Thompson about the process of bringing this intensely emotive story to the London stage.

Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore are reunited in Slapstick comedy ‘Blended’, which is set and filmed in South Africa

Event raised £750,000 to transform the lives of 2,000 children and their families in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

28th May 2014 marks World Hunger Day. You can make a difference in South Africa’s hunger epidemic by supporting FoodBank SA with a 12-hour sponsored fast and a donation of £10, which will feed one person in Mzansi for four months. Read on for details

Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, who played his own great grandfather in the classic 1964 film, will be one of the guests at the 50th anniversary gala screening of ‘Zulu’ in London

South Africa’s Diane Awerbuck and Zimbabwe’s Tendai Huchu are two of the writers shortlisted for this year’s Caine Prize for African Writing. Londoners will have several opportunities to hear them read from their short stories in London

The South African season at Jermyn Street Theatre includes major work by Athol Fugard and Reza de Wet, with performances by actors including Janet Suzman, Jack Klaff, Doreen Mantle and Basil Appollis.

Dominique Valente chats to Sunday Times humour columnist and bestselling author Paige Nick about writing, her collaborative choose your own adventure erotica novels, and why we should all laugh until Oros comes out of our noses, even when we aren’t drinking Oros …

We chat to Zimbabwe-born UK artist Gordon Glyn-Jones, who is holding a solo exhibition of paintings and drawings at Hoxton Arches Gallery on 28 and 29 May

There’s a small but sudden rush on international films made in and about South Africa.

The latest album by legendary South African finger-style guitarist Tony Cox includes covers by some of South Africa’s musical greats such as Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, Bright Blue, Johnny Clegg, Hugh Masekela and Nico Carstens.

The Immigration Act has now been enshrined into law. The Act contains significant amendments that any applicant for a UK visa, either from outside or inside the UK, should be aware of.

The documentary ‘One Humanity’ is an emotional time travelling trip recounting the occasion in which the whole world united for a common cause — the end of apartheid in South Africa. It poignantly conveys a singular message, which director Mickey Dube says he kept in his sights throughout: “I wanted to capture this essence of humanity, this soft part we call caring”.

Last weekend in Johannesburg Olive’s parents went under the hammer. This story of an African auction is just like the book by Olive Schreiner The Story of an African Farm , as it had all of the ingredients to make it a bestseller.

Hampstead Downstairs’ 2013 sell-out hit ‘A Human Being Died That Night’ returns following hugely successful runs at The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town and Market Theatre in Johannesburg.

‘Young Man With A Red Tie’ is a gripping memoir that reconstructs how the author Bob Hepple was caught up in the revolution planned by Nelson Mandela and his comrades in the ANC and Communist Party in the period from 1960 to 1963.

The winner of the Standard Bank Young Artist award for jazz in 2011, Bokani Dyer and his quintet will take the stage at Vortex on Thursday 15 May

Cape Town based artist Ann Gadd is well-known for her wit and humour, particularly with her popular ‘sheep art’ she spoke to Dominique Valente about the importance of fun in art and life.

A London fundraiser for Joost van der Westhuizen’s J9 Foundation, featuring two South African rugby stars

The LondonJazz TransLATES series celebrates South African music on 23 May with a performance by Pinise Saul, Adam Glasser and Eugene Skeef

On 15 and 22 May South African-born pianist Renée Reznek will give the first London performances of two new works written for her by Sadie Harrison and Neo Muyanga.

On the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s inauguration (10 May 1994), the Royal Court Theatre in London will stage a series of readings from 12 to 17 May offering an insight into South African life today and the urgent concerns of a younger generation two decades after the end of apartheid.

Jeremy Loops got his London crowd going after bursting out on stage with a funky version of South Africa’s national anthem on harmonica. Before the gig, we had a chance to ask Jeremy a few questions.

This month a performance and art showcase promoting cultural diversity and integration between South Africans and Wandsworth residents will take place at a local music academy.

A funny thing happened at the dinner table tonight. It has been suggested that woman may get the vote, can you believe that !

Film director Craig Freimond talks about filmmaking in South Africa since the start of democracy – and reveals that he is currently developing a movie script for top comedian Trevor Noah.

As Mat Hartley from Braai 365 prepares for his 365th daily braai, he reflects on his challenge and the past year.

Do you fondly remember regular visits to the drive-in while growing up in South Africa and wish you could do it again? BA’s new Rooftop Film Club in London offers the chance to sit under a starry sky eating popcorn and watching a movie.

South African music stars Bok van Blerk, Theuns Jordaan, Juanita Du Plessis and Riana Nel will be on stage at Hammersmith Eventim Apollo for two nights in August.

Hit South African film ‘Material’, starring Riaad Moosa, has been launched on iTunes to mark the 20th anniversary of South African democracy. Lead actor Riaad Moosa chats to us about giving up medicine for comedy and what he learned from playing Ahmed Kathrada in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

The UK Government closed the Tier 1 (General) category for new applicants in April 2011. The category remained open for extension and settlement applications, for holders of permits in this category.

Radio host Eusebius McKaiser delves into the question of whether the Democratic Alliance are a genuine voting alternative to the ANC.

Charles Sekano has a unique, if hitherto largely unacknowledged, place in the story of South African artists in exile. Maestro Arts gallery in Wandsworth/ Putney is now exhibiting a large selection of his old and new works.

A performance of South African jazz, improvisation and song by World Heart Beat Music Academy.

Long shorts, long cap, lots to say: Of course It’s Jack Parow on tour in Europe with a new album

Sure, everyone has a bucket list of sorts: a list, either mentally stored, or written down, of things they’d like to do or achieve before they die. We’ve done some investigation and found 5 of the most common things on people’s bucket lists.

South Africa’s Diane Awerbuck and Zimbabwe’s Tendai Huchu are two of the five writers shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Caine Prize for African Writing.

The interest on the outcome of the judgement on the UK family migration rules seems to be ever increasing.

Betrayal, remorse, obsession and torment, with the odd flash of wit and the power of circumstance, leap off the pages in this epic novel set in England and South Africa.

For anyone with a sweet tooth the addition of sugar to our morning tea or coffee is a great way to start the day.

Tube strikes might even affect South African democracy

With rumours of the remake of the popular film, My Fair Lady, Dominique Valente wonders if Adam Sandler is to blame for all that is wrong with modern society. Is the film relevant to today’s audience? Have we entered a reverse-Pygmalion world? And what would need to change to set it in our ‘post-Sandler’ reality…

After a successful first tour to the UK in 2012, with rave reviews from top publications, Laurie Levine will be returning to the UK for a handful of shows in May 2014. She’ll be performing in London, Brighton, Cambridge and Kelvedon.

South African folk musician Jeremy Loops will play two London dates in support of the release of his long awaited debut album.

Binary options is a new and exotic way to invest your money.

Moving takes courage, money, and a lot of common sense, it seems.

South African clients are often in doubt about how their UK immigration status will affect the status of their children. This week we discuss two scenarios, in order to provide some clarity.

The documentary ‘Plot for Peace’ introduces an outside view about the demise of apartheid, bringing a previously unknown, international perspective on South Africa’s transformation

British photojournalist and anti-apartheid activist marks 20 years of South African democracy with his breathtaking black and white and white photos from the 1994 elections, on show in London from 25 April to 16 May.

Tea grown in the Far East notably China has been imported into England since the 1600’s. In those early days when the tea chests arrived one can imagine the delight for those, who upon opening them would have discovered a scallop shape sea shell within.

Abe Opperman creates whimsical, yet powerful ‘shadow art.’ He spoke to Dominique Valente about why we owe it to ourselves to find the light hiding among the shadows in our lives, and why art is best when we glimpse the soul behind it.

Globally renowned South African DJ duo Goldfish return to London to perform their explosive live show at Electric Brixton on Sunday 20 April. We review their latest album, ‘Three Second Memory’.

Amsterdam is home to 13 Independent breweries and one of the best known beer brands in the world. Why were you going there again?

Moving is not for the faint-hearted.

Moving is seldom thought of as fun. But it can be really funny.

Clients with one British born parent are often in doubt on whether they are eligible for a British passport or not.

There are few greater things in this world than mothers. Apart from the practical reality that without them, there would be nobody else, moms really do form the backbone of so much of who we are and what we do. What type of mom is your mom?

South African music personality Jon Savage needs your help to complete his black comedy film about the SA music scene.

The creator of the Barry Roux parody rap has recorded a new rap song, this time from prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who is currently cross-examining Oscar Pistorius in court.

The Walk for Freedom Day offers a family friendly walk in Wimbledon Park in London, or around Gloucester’s historic city centre, to both celebrate the anniversary of democracy and to remember Nelson Mandela’s life by walking 2.7 miles.

Fresh from a hugely successful American tour, trailblazing Capetonian electric act Goldfish will be bringing the party to London on the Easter weekend. They tell us about repping South Africa, hanging out with Carl Cox and gathering groupies in the USA.

OVER THE BARREL | South African Rieslings are often noted for their characteristic lime aroma and taste. Try with grilled garlic chicken.

Marc Lottering’s side-splitting stand-up show at Soho Theatre has had audiences begging for more. Catch the Capetonian funnyman in London until Saturday.

How it happened I’m not sure, but in two weekends, I managed to stumble across two places of heavenly indulgence.