South Africa: making the country a better place for all

The wish list of South Africans for 2012 reveals the true diversity of the country. Many have dreams that extend beyond the personal.

By Linda Daniels, Cape Town

Broadcast personality Africa Melane, a presenter with 567 CapeTalk radio, is going to bring in the New Year with a family ritual held at the family home in Gugulethu. Everybody will pray together at the stroke of midnight before tucking into a hearty meal. “Personally, I'd like to seize opportunities that will arise in the coming year,” says Melane. “As for the country, I think the government needs to focus on governing and not on fighting to keep its position.”

On a personal level, young graduates Teddy Masuku, Thabo Rasenyalo, Gcobani Ndabeni and Derrick Sanhokwe will focus on starting their careers. But their collective wish for South Africa is that the government will improve the educational system, so that all South Africans will enjoy equality of opportunity in accessing jobs.

Singer Nhoza Sitsholwana will be performing at a New Year’s Eve gig in Khayelitsha. Sitsholwana wishes that xenophobic violence will become a thing of the past. “I would so love to see South Africans accept African foreigners as brothers and sisters. I am not saying we are all perfect, but we are all on the same continent.”

Ivory Coast: peace is all that matters

Many people are filling the streets of the Ivorian capital Abidjan to celebrate the New Year. The post-electoral crisis has made 2011 a year full of desolation and despair. For 2012, Ivorians have only one wish: peace!

By Selay Marius Kouassi, Abidjan

On the last day of the year, huge fireworks are lighting up the sky above Abidjan. People are partying, but at the same time the loud blasts are inadvertently reminding them of the 2011 post-electoral violence between the troops of Laurent Gbagbo and those of Alassane Ouattara, who both claimed the presidency.
Soldiers, armed to the teeth, are patrolling the streets, which adds to the feeling of a city under siege.

It’s midnight, the time when people are traditionally exchanging their best wishes for the New Year. The Ivorians have not forgotten this tradition, despite all their tribulations. In the churches, the temples and the mosques the believers’ hopes for 2012 can be summarized in one word: peace!

After the litanies and the sermons, some of them make their way to the city, to the outdoor bars where DJ’s play loud music and the beer flows endlessly. They cannot hide their festive side; they just have to dance to the sound of zouglou, Coupé-Décalé, kuitata and shamakwana, very popular musical styles in Ivory Coast these days. 

Kenya: beefed up security

As midnight approaches, the streets of Nairobi are filled with revellers, like every other year. But this time security has been beefed up considerably. Groups of uniformed police officers are patrolling various parts of the Kenyan capital, while a police helicopter is circling above their heads.

By Michael Kaloki, Nairobi

There’s a reason for the huge police presence. In October 2011, the country’s security was threatened by the Somali al-Shabaab insurgents group, forcing the security apparatus to dispatch the Kenyan army deep into Somali territory on an ambitious mission to finish the outfit.

29-year-old John Njuguna is a bouncer at Timers Club in Nairobi's city centre. “I have to work today, but it is part of life,” says John. “We have to take care of the safety of our customers. There is some tension in the city, but our customers are enjoying themselves.”

“I decided to come to church to thank God for the past year,” says Gladys Ngelechei. She is a member of the Mekadiskem Pentecostal Ministries Church, which holds a New Years Eve prayer service in the hall of a hotel. Congregation members are subjected to a thorough security search before being permitted inside. “As a farmer, the year was challenging, because there was too much rain. I will be praying for a perfect climate next year,” Ngelechei adds.

Finally, Munene Wachira has a positive outlook on things to come. “2011 was a year of many ups and downs,” says the 16-year-old Nairobian. “I think the year ahead will be better.”