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The year, when everything seemed to fall apart. Fuel, food, finance and house prices - they all went wrong, and the consequences will continue to affect the world for some time to come.
Oil prices went to unprecedented heights, hitting $147 per barrel of crude. Then financial crisis hit the world economy - a system already strained by, among other things, high prices for the oil that fuels it. The resultant shortage of investment cash and even normal credit for operating industries has meant companies worldwide are collapsing or reducing in size, demand for oil is going down, and the oil price has plummeted with it which is nothing to celebrate, as it is not happening because industries are finding better sources of energy to replace oil, or even because more oil has been found in the ground, but because people are losing jobs and demand is falling.
Many myths were shattered Socialism is actually rescuing capitalism. As can be seen when the major financial institutions were nationalised in the United States of America. Karl Marx must be smiling on his grave. Thanks to the economic meltdown, new words such "credit crunch" are now part of our vocabulary.
The year 2008 was also the year of political delusions. Robert Mugabe takes the cake. Apparently, the Americans and the British are the manufactures of cholera. This must be another mystery waiting to be solved, here were scientists believing that cholera was caused by water contamination and defective sewerage system, but not according to mad Bob. He has found the cause: it is the British and their American friends. Mugabe is a real danger to himself but more sobering he is killing off his own people with his delusions.
But a great political moment of 2008 must be the Baghdad shoe-tosser, maybe shoes will be the next Weapon of Mass Destruction. In the future, perhaps all journalists will be now be required to take off their shoes during press conferences as a precaution! But was this more or less hilarious than the politician who fell of his chair? Mind you, the humiliation of falling from the chair was well compensated when he got the appointment as South Africas next deputy finance minister.
The year 2008 was an exciting one but also a painful one for some particularly those who have, or are likely to, lose their jobs and even their homes. It is not an ideal way to spend your Christmas.
It wasn't all doom and gloom, however. Many were elated when Barack Obama the next President of the USA, and maybe, just maybe, COPE will provide some credible opposition to the ANC. I also believe that Mugabe's grip on Zimbabwe is becoming weaker by the day and that he will be forced out sooner rather than later.
In sport South Africa managed to win 1 medal in the Olympics and their football team continued to flounder, but the Rugby team ended the season on a high when beating England by a record all time score. In Cricket, test series victories against England and Bangladesh and a record breaking run chase against Australia (who look more and more vulnerable) point to a good future.
The year 2008 will be a difficult one to forget. It left us with scars and bad memories roll on 2009 as things can only get better.
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