2016 was a dramatic year.
There was never a dull moment. Sadly the year has claimed many lives, including that of my mother. Music icon Mduduzi Mandoza Tshabalala, former Cuban president Fidel Castro and struggle hero Rodney Tsholetsane are among those who passed on this year. May their souls rest in eternal peace.
The recent local government elections have seen the ANC losing three major metros in the country to the DA-led coalition. The metros are Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay. The latter has brought more pain to the ruling party because the area was named after an icon, the late Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela.
The governing party has also lost Mogale City to the DA-led coalition. But the change of guard has brought more problems than relief in the City. There is virtually no service delivery in Mogale City because of the political impasse between the DA-led coalition and the ANC. There is a possibility that the City might end up being under administration.
The #FeesMustFall campaign, which started last year, intensified this year. Students are up in arms, fighting for free education. The student demonstrations were violent, resulting in some university buildings, including a library, being torched. The better part of the academic year was spent on the streets rather than in the lecture halls. Next year won’t be different.
Gauteng was hit by a water crisis, which resulted in water cuts in certain parts of the province. Mogale City was also affected by the water crisis, but Johannesburg was the hardest hit. Recent rainfalls have brought about relief but we’re not out of the woods as yet. We must continue using water sparingly.
My former co-presenter at Mogale FM, Tholang Lebelo, bagged more awards this year. Lebelo is very talented and passionate about radio. He also has the voice for it and does it for the love of it. I pray that he gets a break in the mainstream radio. He deserves it.
So many things have happened this year. If I were to list them all, I won’t finish. That said, I wish to thank the News for publishing my letters.
And may I take this opportunity and wish the News readers a great festive season and happy new year.
* Thank you for your kind words Thabile. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family – Ed.
