2013 has been quite a year and somehow it seems to have gone
by in a flash. Yesterday felt like January to me. There have been so many ups
and downs this year for South Africans. However I like to think we are
resilient people, who have big hearts and have learnt valuable life lessons.
Our beloved former President Nelson Mandela became gravely
ill and spent months in and out of hospital. As South African’s we all prayed
he would recover and return home. Although he is now unable to speak and very
weak, he is home surrounded by his family.
We heard tragic news about our Olympic sports hero, Oscar
Pistorius who allegedly shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. South Africans all
have varying opinions of his guilt. His much awaited trial will resume in March next
year.
Violence against women and children has been on the rise,
with South African’s reeling in shock of the rape of a six week old baby. The end of November and early December is the month to raise awareness against this kind of violence, with
the 16 days of activism campaign.You can show support by wearing a white ribbon as it symbolises peace. Look at the website for more ways to help end the violence-16 days of activism.
Gautengers have had to fight against the dreaded e-tolls,
which were put into effect yesterday. The increase in petrol price has not
helped the situation. Many people are refusing to buy e-toll tags, even though
the ANC is promising discounted rates and other benefits to those who register.
South Africans have spent so much time and energy on un-marketing
Rhino Horns abroad. Much awareness has been raised about poaching these
majestic creatures. The international ban on rhino trade however has not been enough
of a deterrent. A solution for the poaching and near extinction of the rhino has
been to inject the horn with poison, this does not affect the rhino but anyone
who drinks the ground up horn will become gravely ill. We continue to fight the
battle against poaching and many South Africans have become involved in
projects like #iam4rhinos on social media platforms.
Cape Town has been voted by the Telegraph Travel Awards, as
the favourite city in the world for 2013. We also have an exciting year ahead
in 2014, as we take on the title of World Design Capital for 2014. South Africa
will also celebrate twenty years of democracy and freedom next year. The much
anticipated movie, Mandela Long walk to freedom has also just been released in
cinemas this week. It comes at such a fitting time for us as South Africans; to
not only reflect on our turbulent past but to look at how far, we as a country
have come since apartheid. May 2014, be a year of peace, happiness and personal
growth for everyone.
What historic events in South Africa, good or bad stand out
for you in 2013?
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