Highs and lows – 2019 a year of extremes

NICOLA MILTZ

From wildfires, mass shootings, flash floods, and hurricanes that devastated communities to rescue operations and lunar landings that brought the world together. As South Africa winds down from the grip of the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, rolling blackouts, ongoing xenophobia, and economic upheaval, here’s a look back at some of the top stories of 2019.

Writer Khaya Dlanga described South Africa this week as the “country of the year”.

In a tweet, he posted, “The year began with a bang for SA. Makamo on the cover of Time. Our netball team crowned African champs. Rugby World Cup. Shomadjozi John Cena. Trevor 1st comedian to fill up Madison Square Garden, Zozi, Miss Universe in December. Country of the year.”

Indeed, South Africa boxes way above her weight in all areas from the arts to culture, science, and recreation. In spite of all the doom and gloom, it continues to be a land of hope and dreams fulfilled.

This week, Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe. Say what you like about beauty pageants, Tunzi is an archetypal role model, advocating natural inner beauty, strength, and individualism.

The exquisite feeling of euphoria when one of our own triumphs globally is reminiscent of the victorious Rugby World Cup.

Who can forget that November Shabbos? When countless members of the shomer Shabbat community tested their faith by holding out for the results of the magical final against England. Many made plans to squeeze in the game come hell or high water as the indomitable Springboks, captained by the inspiring Siya Kolisi, lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama, Japan.

The nation was gripped by a feverish display of unity and togetherness (excluding members of the Economic Freedom Fighters) – exactly what the doctor ordered given the nation’s flailing economy, high crime rates, and widescale corruption.

In March, another Boeing Max, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, crashed after take-off, killing all 157 people on board. Boeing remains under intense scrutiny.

Also in that month, places of worship and peace were turned into spaces filled with violence, fear, and hate. The world was shocked in March after it took a gunman just 21 minutes to end 50 lives and change hundreds of others after he opened fire on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in a carefully planned racist attack. A sickening video was livestreamed by the shooter showing the horrifying attack in detail.

In April, our community and people of all faiths around the world were once again shocked when a gunman opened fire on The Chabad of Poway Synagogue in California on Shabbat on the last day of Pesach, killing Lori Kaye, and injuring three including Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein. Goldstein, who lost a finger in the attack, moved millions with his impassioned speech at the United Nations calling on people to spread light and love.

Also in April, astronomers unveiled the first photo of a black hole. Drawn from mountains of data captured two years earlier by telescopes across the world, it shows a supermassive black hole 50 million light years away.

That same month, the world watched aghast as flames destroyed the spire and roof of Paris’s beloved Notre-Dame cathedral. Heroic scenes of firefighters were splashed on the covers of newspapers as they tried to save the gothic building.

Israel became the seventh country to orbit the moon, and the fourth to reach the moon’s surface with the Beresheet lunar lander making the first privately funded mission into lunar orbit. Our community held its breath as Beresheet came within a hair’s-breath of a successful lunar landing, sadly crashing moments before, along with our hopes.

In May, we got through another general election. As Ramaphosa’s “new dawn” fades along with crippling domestic issues, we can still celebrate the fact that it was a peaceful election in which democracy was the ultimate winner.

In June, England won the Cricket World Cup, and Botswana decriminalised homosexuality.

While the highs of 2019 have been stratospheric, the lows have been crushing.

With sadness, the community bade farewell to a few whose untimely deaths have left a void in our lives.

In June, the tragic suicide of teenager Adam Seef shook our community to its core, and started a much-needed local and international conversation about mental health, sexuality, and self-acceptance in our youth.

In July, South Africa and the world grieved the devastating passing of one-of-a-kind singer/songwriter/anthropologist Johnny Clegg – aka the White Zulu – a magnificent human being whose light shone so brightly, it transcended racial fracturing and political disharmony.

In August, our nation mourned the tragic passing of 19-year-old University of Cape Town student Uyinene Mrwetyana. Nene was raped and bludgeoned to death in a post office in Claremont. Her death sparked the #AmINext movement, and resulted in mass protests against gender-based violence. Her passing was emblematic of the government’s dismal failure to protect women and children.

Devastating August fires ravaged Brazil’s Amazon, and fires in Australia are still ravaging the country. Venice has been swamped by never-seen-before flooding.

Extreme weather has fed climate concerns, and there have been worldwide rallies for action. Many of these were initiated by Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg, who stunned world leaders with her now famous “How dare you” speech at the UN Climate Action Summit in September.

Also in September, amid a resurgence of xenophobia, crime, and unemployment, Jarette Petzer started the #ImStaying Facebook movement for positive, like-minded South Africans to come together and inspire hope.

Ongoing international stories including the United States/China trade deal, Brexit and the tenuous balance of power in the United Kingdom, a rise in global anti-Semitism, US President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry, the Israeli elections, and Hong Kong extradition protests have dominated world headlines.

Through it all, humour and feel-good stories have united South Africans during this volatile year.

Think back to “My F*k Marelize!” the hysterical reaction of a mom on a video she took of her daughter riding a bicycle into a rugby post. The incredible power of this Afrikaans catch phrase spread fast, uniting South Africans gatvol (fed up) with negative news.

The now-famous marriage proposal at a KFC outlet is another classic Mzansi moment that went viral in November. A passerby shared a video of a man on his knees proposing to his girlfriend in a KFC. Mzansi came out in full support, sponsoring everything from clothing to homeware.

Comedian Trevor Noah was the first African comedian to sell out the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.

The outstanding Ndlovu Youth Choir exceeded all expectations when it auditioned for America’s Got Talent and blew everyone away by getting to the finals.

In a world completely topsy turvy, we might not have lights, but we have a sense of humour, we have sun, we have water, we are free to express ourselves, so let’s keep paying it forward, and be grateful. ‘Till next year.