Calm before the 2024 storm for politicians
Meanwhile, sport stars plan expeditions in the bush, Christmas music and lunch in Dubai and handing out goodies to grannies
Reading, writing, going to church and spending time with family. That is how South Africa’s political bosses will spend a subdued festive season this year.
President Cyril Ramaphosa plans to spend this festive season with family, while official opposition leader John Steenhuisen wants to use the holidays to catch up on some reading.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Mangwenya said there are always matters that require Ramaphosa’s attention and his state duties often keep him away from family. However, this festive season will be a time for him to recuperate and reflect while readying himself for a gruelling schedule in the new year.
Steenhuisen said he has some reading to do. “I usually spend my break catching up on reading — I have a pile of books next to my bed I need to get through.”
The past year has been a particularly busy one for him.
“I have not had as much time with my family as I would have liked. I’ll enjoy some much-needed quiet time to recharge ahead of a monumental election year.”
FF+ leader Pieter Groenewald will be at his home in Stilfontein in North West, gardening and spending time with his children.
“Christmas will be a normal family day, the children and grandchildren will visit and it will be the same for New Year’s. We try to come together as family to enjoy some time together.”
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa kickstarted his December break with his annual golf day on Friday. The Bantu Holomisa charity golf day, in its 18th year, benefits schools, an oldage home and environmental projects such as tree planting, water purification and fruit and vegetable gardens.
The rest of the holiday will be spent with family.
“We will be attending imigidi of relatives in Mqanduli. I will be back at the national office in Pretoria on January 15.” Imigidi is the traditional ceremony to welcome back young men who have undergone initiation.
Not only does Rise Mzansi founder Songezo Zibi hail from the same Eastern Cape town as Holomisa — the two men are related.
“Bantu Holomisa and justice & correctional services deputy minister Patekile Holomisa are my uncles,” Zibi said. “A relative joked that they used to split their votes in the community between two parties; now Rise Mzansi has joined the conversation and will have to get a split as well.”
Zibi said it would be his first festive season in Mqanduli as a politician.
“One of the weird things about being in politics with regards to my village is that I have a different relationship with my community — they just see me as one of them. They typically don’t ask me for anything except my opinion on current affairs.
“I’m a bit apprehensive now that might change. I worry about people I’ve known all my life suddenly relating to me differently. I don’t canvass in my village, as such. I just want to protect that relationship in the hopes that they will still vote for us.”
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba said he is spending the festive season with friends and family as he recuperates and prepares for a busy election year.
“But, before I can officially take a break, ActionSA is hard at work interviewing and evaluating candidates who can represent us when we enter provincial legislatures and parliament next year,” Mashaba said.
Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane will be keeping a low profile.
“I’m very careful about how I spend Christmas, if you can avoid being in the public space that’s always helpful.
“I will try to be at church on Christmas morning. I regard this time of year as a very spiritual time, we’ve got to rejuvenate. I will do my best to recuperate because it’s been a busy and long year.”
Maimane said he would also dedicate time to a book he is writing and to finishing a PhD dissertation.
“After Christmas I will be hanging out with my family because I hardly see them during the year. It will be good to reconnect
with the broader Maimane clan and to see extended family. Following that, I will be in the Western Cape … travelling with family for a break.”
South Africa’s sports stars have a bit more action scheduled for the holiday, from Christmas lunch in a Dubai pub, to distributing goody bags for needy grannies or chilling in the bush.
Cricketer Rassie “Mr Dependable” van der Dussen will enjoy a break in the bush after the series against the visiting Indian team.
“For the first time in many years I will not be playing red-ball cricket over the festive period. My wife Lara and I hope to join our family at my grandfather’s farm near Modimolle. We love the bush.
“We hope to attend the Boxing Day [Family Day] Test in Cape Town. I will be sitting in the stands as a fan supporting the boys,” Van der Dussen said.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said her festive season started late.
“My holiday only started [on Thursday], when I came to Cape Town,” said Ellis, who three days earlier was at a Confederation of African Football event in Morocco where she won the Women’s Coach of the Year award for the fourth time.
“This was another very busy and productive year and next year will be tougher. I need a bit of a rest.”
After Christmas another long-haul trip is waiting, but this one is a family affair.
“I am going to visit my sister, Carmelita Erasmus, in Melbourne. Only when I am there will I really be able to just switch off,” Ellis said.
But before then, she has a last round of responsibilities to attend to in the Western Cape.
“My foundation started the Christmas Granny Drive with some fantastic people like
I worry about people I’ve known all my life suddenly relating to me differently. I don’t canvass in my village, as such. I just want to protect that relationship in the hopes that they will still vote for us Songezo Zibi
Shilene Booysen, Sharon Lombard and former referee Anwar Alexander,” Ellis said. “Last year we gave goody bags to 120 grannies in the Western Cape. This year it will be double that.”
Bafana Bafana defender Siyanda Xulu is spending Christmas with family and loved ones. “I think it is a very special day for any individual to be with his loved ones and it won’t be any different for me.”
Will there be presents under the tree? “Yes, there are going to be gifts, especially from my side. I will be the giver of gifts, even if I don’t receive them. It’s been a tough year with many ups and downs, but we are very grateful for life.”
Tennis player Lloyd Harris, now living in Dubai, said he would take some time off from training for the Australian Open, which starts in mid-January, to celebrate Christmas at a pub.
“They prepare a full Christmas lunch with Christmas music. We’ve done it before and it was great.”
With him will be coach Anthony Harris and physio Karen Fry.
“We will share gifts between us and enjoy the day, but we will keep it very laid back. Training will continue directly after Christmas.”