In today’s climate it can feel quite overwhelming to maintain a positive outlook. For many of us it has been a tough year in which it is hard to hold onto the fact that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Yet, despite our struggles there are still positive aspects to life. At the end of 2024, we are choosing to reflect on some of the good things that have happened in the past year. We have chosen 12 things, one for each month of the year that may seem to be random or too lofty to make an impact on our individual lives. But like the beat of the butterfly’s wing in one part of the world that may have the knock-on effect of turning into a hurricane in another, these are good things that serve to make our lives better. Plus, they make us glad and give us hope.
Here is our selection of 12 things across the months in 2024 that have made us glad:
1. We live in an incredibly beautiful country.
It is hard to beat South Africa when it comes to its friendly people and the Great Outdoors. It is no wonder that South African tourism saw positive growth in January 2024, with a 15.4% jump in international tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2023. It is amazing to consider that 2.4 million international tourists arrived in South Africa between January and March 2024.
2. Our scientists are world class.
In many areas of scientific and technical advancement, South Africa leads the way. Breakthrough South African research in cervical cancer was made public in February 2024. Dr Carrie Anne Minnaar, who holds a PhD in Radiation Sciences from Wits University, has unlocked a key finding in cervical cancer treatment that is set to change how it is treated. Using a type of heating technology as a support to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced cervical cancer the research has proven it to be a cost-saving, successful way to treat patients.
3. In March, Eish-kom came to the party.
It turned out that electricity delivery could be stabilised and rolling blackouts were dealt with. Little did we know at the time, but 26 March 2024 marked the final round of loadshedding, after which Eskom kept the lights on. This has led to predictions of 2% GDP growth for South Africa in the year ahead.
4. We have one of the most progressive constitutions in the world.
South Africa celebrated its thirtieth Freedom Day on 27 April 2024. Thirty years ago, South Africans took part in our first democratic election. Two years later, in 2006, South Africa’s Constitution – which is widely regarded as one of the most progressive in the world – was adopted. It enshrines various principles and rights that promote equality, democracy, and human dignity.
5. A new generation of “born free” South African voters is coming to the fore.
South African National Elections in May 2024 saw 1.6 million new youth voters turned out to cast their ballot in the general elections as South Africans went to the polls peacefully. As it happened, votes to elect a new National Assembly and provincial legislature in each of the nine provinces lead to a significant decrease in ANC support, which has led to the formation of a Government of National Unity.
6. Star gazing in the Karoo is looking up.
The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) situated near Canavon in the Northern Cape is an international radio telescope project being built in South Africa and Australia. In June 2024, SKA celebrated a major construction milestone with the successful assembly of South Africa’s first SKA-Mid dish. SKA could act as a catalyst for science, technology and engineering business opportunities, and innovation. It has the potential to put South Africa on the map as a world big data and analytics hub.
7. Our Olympic athletes made us proud in the French Olympics.
In July, South Africa’s Rugby Sevens team kicked things off at the Olympics, winning a bronze medal followed by Alan Hatherly winning the bronze medal in the Men’s Cross Country Mountain Bike race. Then, Tatjana Smith took the gold and then silver medals in the 100m and 200m women’s breaststroke finals. The icing on the cake was when South Africa’s men’s 4x100m relay team stormed their way to a silver medal, setting an African record.
8. Our heroes in green and gold rule!
Ama Bokke Bokke were crowned kings of the South in September 2024. It has been a stellar year for South African rugby. For the first time since 2019, the Springboks won the Rugby Championship. In the stands, 43 578 spectators went wild as the Springboks scored seven tries to claim the southern hemisphere crown in their final match against Argentina.
9. Life does not go downhill at 30!
In a thrilling and performance in October 2024, the South African Masters Women’s Over 35 hockey team secured a historic victory, defeating the Netherlands 4-1 in the final and clinching Gold at the Masters Hockey World Cup 2024.
10. Government and business are partnering to fix South Africa’s economic problems.
In October 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa and business launched Phase 2 of a Government-Business Partnership. Phase 1 was launched mid-2023, in which 130 CEOs pledged to work together in confronting the energy and logistics crisis in SA. So far, the initiative has worked from the ground up through the provision of technical experts and some financial support to Eskom and Transnet.
11. International investor confidence has strengthened.
In November 2024, leading American ratings agency S&P changed their outlook on South Africa’s credit performance from stable to positive. This is on the basis that Ramaphosa’s government of national unity has the right recipe for carrying out tough reforms needed to pull South Africa out of an economic slowdown.
12. Yippee! The December holidays are around the corner.
People often feel tired at the end of the year due to the accumulated effect of work-related stress and handling family commitments. This phenomenon is commonly known as year-end fatigue. When it comes to managing year-end fatigue, healthy lifestyle choices are a great place to start. We recommend maintaining a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and enough sleep – and indulging in your favourite ways to relax over the holidays.
Looking forward
What are you looking forward to in 2025? It is important to give yourself something to look forward to, particularly as a sense of anticipation can be energising. It is typical to feel more creative or productive when you are looking forward to something that excites you. Knowing you have something interesting or fun on the horizon has the power to inspire you and equip you in dealing with day-to-day drudgery. Here’s to an exciting 2025!
Over to you for sharing your comments and experiences.
About the Author: Kerstin Jatho
Kerstin is the senior transformational coach and team development facilitator for 4Seeds Consulting. She is also the author of Growing Butterfly Wings, a book on applying positive psychology principles during a lengthy recovery. Her passion is to develop people-centred organisations where people thrive and achieve their potential in the workplace. You can find Kerstin on LinkedIn, Soundcloud, YouTube and Facebook.
