Just like that, 2017 is verby.
And Munier finds himself once again writing his annual year in review, reflecting on all the highlights and headlines that made news.
Once again, it’s been a helluva year. If you’ve made it this far, well done!
Speaking of survival, a recurring theme of every Munier Grootbek year in review column has been Jacob Zuma and his amazing ability to stay in power.
While JZ may still be No.1 going into 2018, the tide looks to have finally turned.
Munier always maintained the only way to oust the president would be from within the ruling.
And if that prediction comes to pass, then the rise to ANC president of Cyril Ramaphosa must surely
signal Zuma’s fall.
Heaven knows 783 corruption charges and state
capture allegations couldn’t do the trick.
Not even two diabolical cabinet reshuffles that sank the economy and sparked nationwide protests could get Zuma to budge.
But this time the writing is on the wall.
Just look at what happened in Zimbabwe - after a 37-year reign, it took all the king’s own horses and all the kings own men to overthrow Robert Mugabe in the end.
This year, Munier’s Ultimate Survivor award doesn’t only go to Zuma, though, but is shared with Jerome
“Donkie” Booysen.
The alleged Sexy Boys and 26s gang boss been the target of three assassination attempts - a drive-by, an airport shooting and a bizarre poison attack in hospital - and still he’s going strong.
The biggest newsmaker didn’t come out of Parliament, but from right under our noses, in Elsies River.
The disturbing circumstances around the disappearance and murder of three-year-old Courtney Pieters shocked the country.
Communities across the Cape Flats joined hands in the search.
And they were collectively devastated at the discovery of her body in a shallow grave in Epping.
Then when her own housemate Mortimer Saunders was arrested for her rape and murder, the whole Cape Flats directed their fury on him.
While Saunders is yet to have his day in court, justice was done in the case of Cameron Wilson, who was sentenced to four life sentences and 71 years imprisonment.
The 20-year-old monster from Heinz Park was convicted on 13 charges, including the slaughter of Lekita Moore of Valhalla Park.
There were more celebrations outside court when another vark, Randy Tango, confessed to the murder of his 11-year-old neighbour Stacha Arendse of Tafelsig.
Tango was sentenced to three life terms and 10 years on 11 December.
To say that 2017 was all doom and gloom in the Cape would not be a fair assessment.
There were moments when the people of this city made us proud to be Capetonian.
The Mother City proved beyond a doubt that we have the most gifted musicians in South Africa, by winning a hattrick of TV talent show.
First Craig Lucas from Elsies River won The Voice SA.
The acapella singing group AnecNote surprised all by taking SA’s Got Talent.
But the cherry on top was 17-year-old Paxton Fielies from Bishop Lavis being crowned Idols SA 2017 winner.
There were other pleasant surprises - like Western Province winning the Currie Cup against all odds after a sukkel-sukkel season.
And who expected Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from Sedgefield to be crowned Miss
Universe!
After a world-beating 2016, Wayde van Niekerk continued to dominate, defending his 400 metres world title at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics in London.
This after setting a new 300m world record in the Czech Republic.
The sprint star capped off another fine year by marrying his sweetheart Chesney Campbell recently.
What a year!
So, what can we look forward to in 2018?
Will Zuma finally be recalled?
Will Springbok coach Allister Coetzee hold onto his job?
Will Patricia de Lille still be wearing the Mayoral chain?
Will Cape Town be able to solve the drought crisis, or will Day Zero hit us hard?
Will Henri van Breda be found guilty of triple
murder?
Will Saunders drop a bombshell in the Courtney case?
Sjoe, Munier can hardly wait.
Read all about it in the Daily Voice.
Happy new year, mense!