Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2005-12-24 Reporter: Wendy Jasson da Costa Reporter:

Newsmakers Send Out Good Wishes to All ... but for Some it was 'Annus Crapullus'

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2005-12-24

Reporter

 Wendy Jasson da Costa

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

Political parties and newsmakers, infused by the Christmas spirit, have for now put aside their differences in a spirit of compassion, tolerance and friendship. They all agreed it was time for all South Africans to renew friendship and family ties.

"This is a time to remember that ours is a society that seeks compassion and tolerance. It is a society that cares for all our people, especially the most vulnerable among us," said African National Congress spokesman Smuts Ngonyama.

Ngonyama also called on all South Africans to take personal responsibility to prevent the spread of HIV. He said it was important to demonstrate that the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children had helped to "conscientise the nation" and bring about a significant reduction in such crime.

Acting leader of the Democratic Alliance, Douglas Gibson, said: "At this time we set aside our differences and focus on our common humanity and the fact that we are all South Africans together.

"The New Year is full of hope and potential; let us grab it with both hands and make 2006 a good year."

Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said: "Christmas is a time to remind ourselves that service to others is central to our lives. Service to others means nothing less than selflessness and sacrifice.

"Let us have these timeless values guide us and inspire us to lead lives of compassion."

Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said: "The Fourth Estate (the media) has restored some confidence in democracy by fearlessly exposing corruption."

She said it had also been a good year for the economy but the fruits of democracy and the economy had not yet been tasted by all South Africans.

Her hope for 2006 was that many more people would have access to anti-retroviral drugs to fight Aids.

Veteran politician Evita Bezuidenhout was as razor-tongued as ever: "2005 was a very special year for me. I turned 70! They also named a street after me in Darling: the Evita Bezuidenhout Boulevard. I spent a lot of time cooking bobotie for reconciliation. When enemies sit around a table and eat together, they must talk together.

"This year also made me realise how healthy it is when politicians are insecure. The fact that the Zuma saga has caused rumours of unhappiness in the ANC is good. Politicians must never sleep soundly in a true democracy. They must lie awake at night worried that we might have found them out ..."

Mo Shaik said: "This is the year of the long knives ... the problem with the long knives is that you can pull them out ... you put the scars down to the learning of life."

Ranjeni Munusamy, aide to former deputy president Jacob Zuma, said: "Somebody once said life is one damn thing after another. For us it's just one bloody courtroom after another."

Munusamy said some people had said it had been an annus horribillus but "that doesn't even begin to describe what the year's been like for the deputy president. I think it's been annus bloody crapullus."

As for 2006: "I'd rather just go to sleep on December 31, 2005 and wake up on January 1, 2007 *1."

With acknowledgements to Wendy Jasson da Costa and Cape Argus.


*1  And then it all starts again on 16 April 2007.

Beware the Ides of April.