Party on with hope for 2018

GET your party hats on and cheer out 2017 with a big exhale. It has been a year packed with challenges, here and around the world. Between Jacob Zuma’s presidency, the Guptas and Co, the downfall of Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace, Donald Trump, Kim Jong-un and his nukes, Brexit, a jump to the far right in parts of Europe, and a spike in appalling terror attacks, to name a few, political volatility and economic uncertainty have dogged us.

Zuma’s midnight shuffles caused mayhem for the economy, hitting nearly every South African in the pocket. The #GuptaLeaks e-mails revealed more shenanigans in and around the Saxonwold shebeen, and investigative reporter Jacques Pauw’s book, broke sales records.

“Lawfare” gained traction as punch and counterpunch played out in South Africa’s courts, with the latest a Constitutional Court ruling yesterday that Parliament had failed to hold Zuma to account over the Nkandla scandal, and must launch proceedings that could remove him from office.

The drought in the Western Cape showed no sign of abating and year-end sees Capetonians facing the prospect of paying a water levy at the same time as water usage restrictions become even more severe.

In other fields, the Springboks imploded, but the Proteas had a good year and now need to back it up in their much tougher but mouth-watering Tests against India, starting on Friday, and then Australia. Athletes Wayde van Niekerk, Caster Semenya and Luvo Manyonga made sure South Africa stayed on people’s lips in track and field.

Thankfully, on the lighter side we have folk like Zodwa Wabantu brightening up our social media: how will she top Vodacom Durban July dress?

Whatever lies in wait, we wish everyone a safe, peaceful 2018; one in which the light at the end of the tunnel is hope, not another dodgy Prasa train.