[Edited]

In the face of widespread poverty, rampant crime, poor global sporting prowess and bad driving, South Africans remain some of the most optimistic people in the world, says a recent Markinor survey.

Former deputy president Jacob Zuma, who claims to be “not at all worried about the events of the new year”. Why should he be? He is only facing a host of corruption charges and a rape charge. Zuma says he is not worried about facing the charges because he is innocent. “Maybe if I knew that I was guilty, I would have a reason to be worried, but I am not worried because I know that I am not guilty.” Fine. But wouldn’t it have been better to not have been charged with anything in the first place?

With acknowledgements to Michael Bleby, Tim Cohen and the Business Day.