JUST saying goodbye to 2020 means 2021 is already off to a great start, but there are actually a few other special events happening this year that should keep your spirits buoyed through this second coronavirus wave.
Here’s a look at seven highlights to put on your calendar.
1. Tokyo Olympics 2021
The highly-anticipated 2020 Tokyo Olympics were – like most sporting events – postponed because of the ongoing pandemic, but 2021 is the year the event is set to take place. Although it will be significantly more restrained than originally planned, we’ll still get to revel in the wonder of human achievement.
And, if that isn’t enough for you, there are loads more sporting events planned for 2021, including Euro 2021, Wimbledon, Africa Cup of Nations, Champions League, Six Nations, the Ashes, and the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.
2. Vaccinations
While South Africa is undoubtedly behind other nations in the vaccine roll-out, it is on the cards, with plans for at least 67% of the population to be immunised by the end of the year. We still have some way to go yet before achieving herd immunity, but the mask-less, social lifestyle we once knew is on the horizon. Just keep on sanitising, masking and distancing until then!
3. Goodbye Trump
Four years of narcissism, violence and hate have created divisions that will finally be tackled as we wave a cheerful goodbye to arguably the worst president of the United States. Whether you’re interested in foreign politics or not, the repercussions of a level-headed, forward-thinking president at the helm of one of the world’s most powerful countries will be felt everywhere. And, on 20 January during the US presidential inauguration, Kamala Harris will also make history by becoming the first woman, and first black or Asian woman, to serve as vice-president.
4. Better climate policies
With the ousting of Trump, and America – one of the world’s biggest carbon contributors – looking to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, the globe could finally be on track to reduce carbon emissions and get the planet into some sort of healthy state. The European Union is pouring billions into clean energy alternatives, while Japan, South Korea and Canada are committed to reducing fossil fuel use. China, the world’s biggest polluter, has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2060. Let’s hope South African policies also follow suit.
5. New TV shows
A number of television productions were put on hold, but we can look forward to a resurgence of nostalgia this year with shows such as the Friends reunion and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot. The Friends reunion special will see the six actors reminiscing about their time on set, giving all us 90s TV lovers some wonderful insights. Star Wars fans can also look forward to the third instalment of Mandalorian later in the year.
6. New movies
The pandemic also halted production on a number of exciting feature films that will finally be revealed in 2021. Among them are ‘Dune’, starring young actor Timothee Chalamet, ‘Cinderella’ featuring Billy Porter, ‘Coming2America’, the long-awaited sequel starring Eddie Murphy; as well as the latest and last Daniel Craig James Bond film, ‘No Time to Die’.
For the Harry Potter fans, there’s a new ‘Fantastic Beasts’ to look forward to, while Marvel die-hards will no doubt be getting out the popcorn for the latest instalment, ‘Black Widow’. Sci-fi sequel ‘Matrix 4’ also set to hit the screens. And we would be remiss for not mentioning another exciting and long-awaited sequel featuring none other than Tom Cruise – ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.
7. Birthday celebrations
For all the royalists and fans of ‘The Crown’, 2021 will see the British royal family celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 95th birthday on 21 April. Already the longest-reigning monarch in British history, perhaps this will be the year she hands over the reins to her first-born…
No doubt we still have some way to go before the Covid-19 pandemic is firmly behind us, and while 2021 might not be the best year of the century, it will hopefully be a huge improvement on 2020!
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