2020 was one of the most unconventional and trying years in the history of the world.
It started out easy with all of our dreams intact, only to turn into one of the biggest tests for the human race.
We were reminded that we are just human and that we can be tested at any time and that we are no different to the people who came before us.
They, too, were tested by the Almighty with plague and disease.
Covid-19 changed the world forever and many of us will never be the same.
The paranoia alone is enough to change the way we speak and socialise with friends and family and I am sure new parenting rules will be applied, especially for hygiene.
So an entire generation might grow up with masks and always maintain a safe distance from loved ones.
We also realised the real heroes are not Hollywood stars, but the humanitarians, those essential workers who kept us going during the toughest period of the pandemic.
Question is, when it's all done, will they be rewarded in payment that they so rightfully deserve or will the world just do a reset so the superstars can continue to make the big bucks while the essential workers just get a bonus.
We realised in 2020 that we need each other, that if anyone just went crazy and lost the plot with regards to protecting each other we all could die or get infected.
I always wondered what the purpose was of a president, and this year I learnt we need that one person we trust with our future who can guide us and make sometimes unpopular decisions for the betterment of us all.
We learnt that we must live happily with our families and give them our best because we could end up alone in the house with them, and if it happens, it must be the best place to be for us and not a miserable place.
We learnt that spending time with our families is more important than spending time at work, although our work is very important too.
We learnt it's okay to pray at home and not judge people who do not make it to church or mosque as they might just be praying at home.
We learnt that in order for us all to survive we need to be innovative and move with the times and continue to grow daily.
Take the entertainment industry for example, we have learnt that an online audience is just as important as a live one.
The hotel industry learnt that although it is important to have international appeal they have to open themselves up so that the locals can afford them too because in the end we only have each other.
We also learnt it’s possible to achieve greatness in the middle of a pandemic - look at what the “Jerusalema challenge” did for Master KG and the world.
So here we are in 2021, and let me just say happy new year to you all.
Why should we be happy? Because while we still face a pandemic, we are stronger.
We are not surprised by it anymore and we are confident in knowing how to deal with it.
We are content that we will achieve our dreams; it might take a bit longer, but we will get there.
I feel like the virus boxed us all in, but we’re learning to live with it and continue to live our best lives.
We have arrived at our new normal and are armed with what is required to turn it into something positive.
So blessings from my family to yours and may 2021 be the year that we overcome this virus.
It is actually very simple to keep your distance, sanitize, wash your hands and wear your mask and continue to do what makes you happy and great.
So, slamat virrie nuwe jaar.