So another year has passed, and finally 2014, the year of great promise, is upon us.
It isn’t a year of great promise because politicians will be out in full force making promises.
No, 2014 holds great promise because it could significantly change the lives of many South Africans for better or worse. Firstly there are the National Elections coming up.
This is a very important time of year when many youths in the country refuse to vote, stating that the government doesn’t do anything for them.
Then when the ruling party stays in power they complain, and use that reason as the basis for why they don’t vote in the first place.
Elections are also that time of year when the majority of the country votes for one particular party, and then spends the next four years complaining how they never received any of the things they were promised.
It’s strange and even laughable how they do this election after election, and never seem to learn from their mistakes.
The ruling party has long lost sight of the freedom it fought for, and has slowly become the dreaded thing it fought against.
When your own countrymen boo you, yet applaud international leaders, it may be a sign that your time is indeed up.
Moving away from the political scene to something equally as entertaining, football has a lot to offer this year.
South Africans will have an eye on the world stage as the 2014 Soccer World Cup takes centre-stage in Brazil.
It’s also one tournament when South Africans won’t be under any pressure, because the team can’t lose.
So naturally South Africans will be turning their attentions to other international teams, flying their flags high and hoping for a favourable outcome. Now many would argue that it’s unpatriotic to support another nation, but sometimes you have to face facts: the only way Bafana could qualify for the World Cup was if they were given automatic entry as host nation.
Jokes aside though, 2014 will also see an improved Matric pass rate.
Education officials are hoping that by dropping the required pass mark to 20%, the matriculants of 2014 will be able to at least score an 80% national pass rate.
So with the chances of a new president (hopefully a better one), new world champions and an improved pass rate, South Africans will have a lot to be cheering about (and not booing) this new year.