The DNA of the South African voter is not complicated. It is summed up in the Bill of Rights; it is protected by the Constitution. It has an independent judiciary. It is mirrored through a free press. All these life forces are being threatened by politics, argues Pieter-Dirk Uys.

DIE ONDERWYSERES | So amper tien jaar gelede, toe ek nog ‘n ‘groenetjie’ was in Londen, het ek die ding, daai ‘tube train’ of moltrein (in suiwer Afrkaans) vir kort afstande gery – diep onder die aarde, tussen Embankment en Charing Cross!

THE ANTIQUARIAN | Our resident antiques expert tells us about ’50 Shades of Silver’…

BRAAI 365 | Mat visits the London Fire Brigade in Wimbledon to learn about braai safety!

THE OPTIMIST | The day that happens, or the moment you realise that it is gone; is up there with Norman Bates opening your shower curtain. Disbelief in a double d-cup. Cold, white fear.

DIARY OF AN EXTROVERT | Southern Africans from across the country descended on South African pub The Orange Bull Sports Bar over the weekend to celebrate Youth Day.

BRAAI 365 | Fish braai!

A comedian, radio DJs and cricket players are some of the most followed Twitter accounts in South Africa.

Hier is ‘n lys van die grootste jokkies wat op ‘n gereelde basis uit die skoner geslag se pruilmondjies kom. Skenk aandag hieraan, internaliseer dit, en maak seker dat dit jou nie onkant betrap wanneer dit nogmaals in die toekoms aan jou opgedis word nie.

BRAAI 365 | First braai that I have had when it’s poured with rain

UKSaffa | the reality that I have to at some point think about childcare. I’ve been lucky to be able to work from home, and have a hubby who takes the main brunt of the financial stress, and as such I’ve spent a wonderful 2 years with my daughter doing all sorts of ‘mommy’ stuff I would never have imagined I’d get into.

BRAAI 365 | Toasted sandwiches!

One of the best old things about the US, however, is the postal service. Unlike post offices in the UK and SA, the Post Office actually just does post.

‘Do you consider yourselves South Africans living in England, or English after all this time?

As I sit at the Olympia Art & Antiques fair, it strikes me how many people recognise and connect with our country. Even if they visited ten years ago the memories and connection they have with us prompts them to come over and say hello.

BRANDPUNT | Dankfees 2013 was‘n lekker mengelmoes van Suid-Afrikaanse kultuur in Engeland!

THE ANTIQUARIAN | For me to stand out in London at a top international antique fair I have found that being true to my roots and being African can produce the goods.

THE OPTIMIST | Talk about a brain drain. The second top oncologist in the department of Addington Hospital has quit.

BRAAI 365 | I headed up to the cricket ground on the tube with the CADAC carry chef in tow, and after winning our game we fired up the gas and cooked some steaks which were awesome!

‘n Wonderwerk in vandag se lewe

I think I last saw the dining room table Tuesday a week ago.

Because citizens carry this heavy burden of keeping the government of South Africa running, they should have the right to have some say in how this money is spent. The attitude of the government is slightly different.

THE OPTIMIST | Rich or poor we are immensely talented, well bred, mannered and endowed with incredible talent — for everything.

Dis altyd amuserend om te verneem dat iemand uit die Republiek in Londen kom aandoen het, drie nagte in ‘n hotel in Mayfair oorgebly het, en dan, wonderbaarlik, ontpop het in ‘n kenner van alle dinge Brits.

Let’s face it. Schools are ridiculously expensive. Emma’s annual school fees at the moment cost what my entire three year degree cost my parents.