The Festive Season is finally here.
It feels like this year was a particularly long one, especially when it comes to the economy and our political landscape.
I often wonder what the likes of Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe would think of our democratic South Africa today, had they still been alive.
I wonder if they would accept it as part and parcel of a healthy discourse, or if they would prefer a quick death in dismay.
As we celebrate Mandela’s centenary year, it’s the perfect time to indulge in such thought-experiments, especially since tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of his death, while PAC founder Sobukwe would have been 94 tomorrow.
Robben Island is holding a 12-hour night vigil from tomorrow where people from all backgrounds will enjoy fellowship and reflect on the contributions of our liberation leaders.
As we head into a new year, this may well be a worthwhile exercise for our current leaders, so they can remember the sacrifices and help keep the promises that were made of a better life for all.
Meanwhile, the rest of us can celebrate in other ways.
Now that the Adderley Street lights have been switched on, we are officially downhill towards the holidays.
And so far, it looks like a fun and promising slide all the way into 2019, as we all got early Christmas presents, starting with the relaxing of the water restrictions last week.
And from midnight tonight, a litre of petrol will cost R1.84 less, which is a huge drop, the likes of which we haven’t seen in a long time.
Diesel and paraffin will also cost a whole lot less, which all add up to some valuable extra pennies in our pockets.
In the absence of effective and intelligent politics, at least these are a few small little something that I’m sure would’ve made Mandela and Sobukwe smile.