FROM election surprises to conflict in the Middle East, the Independent on Saturday’s newsroom kept readers abreast of issues back home and abroad. We’ve compiled some of the most memorable stories from the last 12 months as we get ready to enter 2025.

NOBODY could’ve forseen the huge political change coming when South Africans went to the polls in May. It was no secret that the masses were disillusioned with the ANC and would vent their anger through their votes, but the emergence of the umKhonto weSizwe Party and the subsequent formation of the Government of National Unity took most by surprise. However, in the United States they took it one step further and Donald Trump recorded a spectacular win at the polls to secure a second term as US president.

South Africa continued its quest to stop the the war on Gaza by continuing its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. It’s estimated that at least 45 000 Palestinians have died after Israeli invaded Palestine in response to an attack by Hamas.

Back home the high cost of living saw many struggling to make ends meet. Unions warned that government workers in particular were susceptible to poor work performance and financial misconduct which could affect the state. Popcru, Sadtu and the Public Servants Association(PSA) warned that the situation was so bad that many public servants were forced to sell their cars and homes to service their debts. In some instances they even resigned from their jobs just to access their pension funds. The National Credit Regulator said that the total outstanding gross debtors book of consumer credit for the quarter ended December 2023 was R2.35 trillion.

In September South Africa bid farewell to struggle stalwart and former finance minister Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan who died after a short illness.

There were many victories on the sporting front.

South Africa’s blind cricketers displayed their talent and determination at the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan. Blind cricket is adapted to enable blind and partially sighted players to compete at high levels, employing techniques like the sweep shot to enhance their chances of connecting with the ball.

Blind Proteas player Mpumelelo Luthuli and his teammates at the T20 Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan.

Our athletes also celebrated a good run at the Paralympic Games in Paris where they picked up six medals. Mpumelelo Mhlongo (T44 100m) and Simone Kruger (T38 discus) won gold. Four bronze medals came to South Africa through Louzanne Coetzee (T11 1500m), Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole (wheelchair tennis Quad doubles), Pieter du Preez (H1 Individual Time-Trial) and Mpumelelo Mhlongo (T64 200m) won bronze.

South Africa’s Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole on the podium for their bronze medal in the Paris 2024 Paralympic wheelchair tennis event. Picture: Frank Molter

Turmoil continued in the uMsunduzi Municipality where former City Manager Lulamile Mapholoba conceded that there were some areas where service delivery could improve but this depended on cooperation between the administrative and political wings at the municipality. One of the undertakings he made was to pay the horologist Mark Webber and ensure that the well known City Hall clock was restored.

Former City Manager of uMsunduzi Municipality, Lulamile Mapholoba.

Staying in the KZN capital, horticulturist Thulani Bhengu also known as Mr Greens showed locals how to maximise small spaces to grow as many edible plants as possible. Everywhere he found a gap Bhengu used old tyres, cans and soft drink bottles to plant vegetable and many went to charities. He even started a garden at the Sweetwaters train station in PMB and his green fingers extended as far as Durban North. Unfortunately he died of cancer earlier this year.

Tshepo, 30, and his father Thulani Bhengu, 57, planting greens at the run-down train station in PMB. | SIBUSISO MBOTO

Another inspiring story was that of Salt Rock resident Jacqueline Nel who has visited 80 countries and cycled the length of three continents. Covid-19 put a spanner in the works but she is still determined to complete the rest of the trip from Kenya to Cape Town, which she had to abandon because of the pandemic in 2020.

Salt Rock cyclist Jacqueline Nel. Picture: Shelley Kjonstad/Independent Newspapers

In the realm of the unusual, 22-year-old Keanu Rust a personal trainer from Queensburgh designed and built his own fully functioning Iron Man suit in his home garage. Rust only had minimal engineering knowledge which picked up while working for an engineering company after matriculating in 2020. He said his dream began when the first Iron Man film was released in 2008.

Queensburgh resident Keanu Rust built a fully functioning Iron Man suit in his garage at home. Pictures:Shelley Kjonstad/Independent Newspapers

Members of the KZN Blind and Deaf Society (KZNBDS) inspired many with their grit and determination. Zaba Ngcobo who is deaf has become a sewing sensation and the clothes he makes from saris are sold at fleamarkets across Durban. Mfanufikile Bhengu who is visually impaired encouraged people to join the annual Eye Can Walk event hosted by the KZNBDS. Bhengu who weaves baskets said it was important for anyone living with a disability to have something meaningful to do every day.

Mfanufikile Bhengu, who is visually impaired, making cane baskets at the KZN Blind and Deaf Society. Picture: Tumi Pakkies Independent Newspapers

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) hosted the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards, celebrating the country's outstanding beaches, marinas and sustainable tourism operators. A highlight of this year’s awards included the recognition of Pennington Beach in Umdoni Municipality on the KZN South Coast.

Pennington Beach in the Umdoni Municipality on the KZN South Coast has joined the ranks of Blue Flag status beaches. Picture: Yolandi Prinsloo Photography

On the cultural front, to boost tourism and promote the Zulu royal homesteads as tourist attractions, a budget of R7.5 million was set aside for the 40th reed dance anniversary documentary. Details relating to the completion and airing of the documentary must still be announced.

Maidens gathered at the Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, for the annual reed dance. Picture: Nqobile Mbonambi/African News Agency(ANA)

One of the horrific stories that the Independent on Saturday reported on was the large number of cats who died while they were locked in rescue cages at animal rescue organisation, Samies Kittens. At least 20 decomposing bodies were found in Pinetown after neighbours complained about a stench coming from a nearby house. Remains of the animals were stuffed in rubbish bins while others were found scattered throughout the home, trapped by locked doors and closed windows. Barbara Patrick, who has been the manager of Kloof and Highway SPCA for 16 years, said she had never seen anything like it. “There were dead, decomposed bodies everywhere, the smell was unbearable even with a mask on and there were old animal faeces everywhere. It was one of the most devastating and traumatic things I have ever seen,” said Patrick.

Rubbish bags in which dead kittens and cats were found dumped outside Samies Kittens, an animal rescue organisation. Picture: Supplied

Independent on Saturday reporter Mervyn Naidoo win a Vodacom journalist of the year award for his story on Vuyisile Jaca. Jaca from KwaMashu was part of the Maiden’s 12-member, all-women crew on the 20m yacht that won the famous around-the-world Ocean Globe Race earlier this year. The crew raced around the world in 153 days, two hours, 16 minutes and 53 seconds, taking first in IRC handicap rankings against a 14-strong fleet. Jaca, 25, was promised a full bursary to study nautical science by former sport MEC Dr. Ntuthuko Mahlaba.

Vuyisile Jaca at her homecoming event at the Point Yacht Club earlier this year. Picture: Shelley Kjonstad/Independent Newspapers

The idiom ‘like mother, like daughter(s)’ is well suited for Glynnis Jones, a bassoon player from Kloof, her daughter Laila Jones and step-daughter Neena Ziemba, who all share a common interest: classical music.

The three are established members of the Durban City Orchestra (DCO).

Bassoonist Glynnis Jones, with her daughters Neena Ziemba on violin and Laila Jones on the oboe. They are all members of the Durban City Orchestra. Shelley Kjonstad/ Independent Newspapers

One of South Africa’s most important heritage collections will move to a new R632m home when the KwaZulu-Natal Museum is relocated. The museum which opened in 1904, is also home to the Centre of Scientific Research and has outgrown its current premises at 237 Jabu Ndlovu Street in Pietermaritzburg. Construction is expected to start next year and be completed in December 2029.

The current home of the KwaZulu-Natal Museum in Pietermaritzburg is short of space and is no longer suitable for the preservation of vital heritage and natural history collections. | Shelley Kjonstad/ Independent Newspapers

In November President Cyril Ramaphosa declared foodborne illnesses a national disaster after at least 20 people died and hundreds became ill after suffering food poisoning. Several of the deaths were blamed on pesticide-tainted food which was bought at spaza shops.

Laboratory tests showed that the illnesses were caused by an organophosphate pesticide called terbufos which is used in townships to control rat infestations.The problem of rat infestation is due in part to poor waste management in several municipalities. “Rubbish is not collected regularly, streets are not being cleaned, creating conditions for rats and other pests to thrive,” he said. Meanwhile, with piles of household-produced rubbish lying around, uMsunduzi Municipality has been blamed for contributing to the situation by not doing regular collections.

Illegal dumpsites that the uMsunduzi Municipality has to remove to comply with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s order to clean residential areas. Picture: Bongani Hans

Finally, we end with one of the most chilling stories of 2024.

This week French national Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for repeatedly drugging and raping his wife, Gisèle, and then inviting dozens of other men to rape her. Fifty other defendants were also found guilty in the mass rape trial; 46 on rape charges, two for attempted rape and two for sexual assault.

Gisèle Pelicot, 72, said she had no idea what was happening to her until she was approached by the police. She had been experiencing unexplained memory loss, blackouts, extreme fatigue, an inflamed cervix and pain in her abdomen. In 2020, Dominique Pelicot was arrested for trying to film under women’s skirts at a supermarket. Police seized his electronic devices - and found thousands of videos and photos showing his wife being sexually assaulted by various men. Based on the videos he recorded, prosecutors said Gisèle was raped more than 200 times while she was drugged and unconscious. Gisèle has become a feminist icon after requesting that the three-month trial be held in an open court because she wanted the world to know what had happened to her.