Eagerly awaiting the new year to get ahead

GREAT things are going to happen in 2017 – and everyone is excited for the new year, just hours away.

The Independent on Saturday spoke to locals and visitors at the Durban beachfront yesterday who were eager for the 2017 to start, and they had several plans ready to set in motion.

Laaiqa Stenekamp, from Benoni, said her plan was to obtain her driver’s licence and then buy a car. “I hope to start driving soon and get on the road, and have my own vehicle. I have also registered for a teaching qualification, so I am excited to get the year started and making it all come true.”

Indrani Seetal said she wanted to travel more, and would start with a trip to Mauritius in February/March for the religious celebrations of Maha Shivaratri.

Johannesburg residents Mpumelelo Mncube and Khulile Nxele had one aim – to be more spiritual. “I think it’s time for me to be more spiritual, and not just go to church for Easter and Christmas. My one goal is to be a better person, spiritual… when the spirit is strong the soul is strong, and from there I can achieve anything I want,” said Mncube.

Yantur and Pyush Singh, pharmacy and medical students respectively, aim to focus on their studies and get good results, and hope for a car in the new year as well.

Indira Ramdhial, of Durban, believes the new year will be positive and “the economy will pick up”.

Up and coming surfer, 18-year-old Sifiso Ngcobo, wants to complete his Grade 11 studies at Inanda Seminary. He also hoped for more sponsorships to continue his sport, which will take him to a competition in England next month.

Fina Newcombe-Bond, recently returned to South Africa after a stint in her original home, Mozambique, hoped her daughters Katrina, 11, and Sophie, 8, would get places at Hillcrest Primary School. She said 2016 was tough economically for people in Mozambique.

Rhodes University students Dustin Laming and Kaira Bray wished to see quick results when they returned to gym in 2017. They confessed to over-indulging over Christmas.

Sol George and his son Zinzan just want “to be successful and continue what we are doing, enjoying the beach”.

Zinzan also hoped for a successful Grade 11 year at Northwood Boys’ High.

MPUMELELO MNCUBE, LEFT, AND KHULILE NXELE: ‘Go to church.’

FINA NEWCOMBEBOND WITH DAUGHTERS KATRINA, 11, AND SOPHIE, 8: ‘Places in schools.’

LAAIQA STENEKAMP, LEFT, AND INDRANI SEETAL: ‘A new car and more travelling.’

SOL GEORGE AND HIS SON ZINZAN: ‘Continue enjoying the beach.’

DUSTIN LAMING AND KAIRA BRAY: ‘Return to gym.’

PYUSH AND YANTUR SINGH: ‘Do well at college.’

INDIRA RAMDHIAL: ‘The economy will pick up.’

SIFISO NGCOBO: ‘Get more surfing sponsorships.’