Can you smell that? Malodorous and rotting, mundane and futile... and it's only been a few days. The head of 2012 had only started crowning and, to me at least, the new year has shape-shifted in record time, taking on the form of the beast of 2011. If one more person tries to convince me it's a new year packed with promise and rejuvenation, bilious rage will ensue. 'What's your new year's resolution?' enquired one person the other day. 'Not to commit murder,' I spewed before cracking my knuckles. I swear I'll perpetrated savagery of African proportions in the face of such banal questions and bumper-sticker like optimism. Let's take stock of the last few days of this year so far.
Yet another country descends into tumult. Nigeria, while not entirely a contender to the Arab Spring: The Sequel, has erupted in the face of a yet another government desperate to save money, for what real reason, we don't know. Government lackeys will say they need more cash to help improve Africa's most populous country for the greater good. Spluttering into my teeth with stifled laughter I'll nod in mock agreement. Corruption, self-enrichment and a complete disregard for the truth is how I interpret such mundane justifications. I do harbour an inkling of sympathy for Nigeria, though. yet another maddened, bloodthirsty Islamic radical group has emerged out of the wood work in that country. Boko Haram has started wreaking havoc on jihad proportions. And so religion once again rears it's troubled, schizophrenic head. With madness and religious zeal being exported so successfully across the world, who needs dictators.
The Arab Spring seems to have become a winter. Tunisia, the unofficial Godfather of North African dissent marked its one year anniversary since it shrugged off the yoke of authoritarian suffocation. I think a handful of us recognised this, in between new year's diet fads and apathy. Syria's national bloodshed shows absolutely no sign of abating. Same same, shame shame.
What would a new year be without a disaster of some kind. Thankfully Ma Nature has spared us of earthquakes, etc. Human stupidity, though, delivered us an early tragedy in the form of the Costa Concordia, coupled with that good old Italian bravery - the ill-fated cruise liner, captain Francesco Schettino, who jumped ship as passengers drowned and welcomed in 2012 with healthy doses of shock and horror.
The ANC turned a 100. Congratulations, back slaps, hand shakes and fake smiles. While it took a century for the ANC to morph from an admirable struggle movement to ruling party, it may take another 100 years for it's leaders and voters to come to their senses and realise all is certainly not well in South Africa.
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