The future is certain; it's the past that is unpredictable. For the first time South Africa and the US shared the same urgent priority: both were in desperate need of a new president. We couldn't wait, so Polokwane recalled one and interim-ed another, swopping the small man for the middle man while waiting for the Zulu man. The US made the unimaginable the inevitable: they ended their Bush War peacefully by presidential elections.
Who would have thought 2009 would see an African-American family go into the White House by the front door? South Africa did it proudly in 1994. Yet the growing loss during 2009 has been the fading and evaporation of the legacy of Nelson Mandela: forgiveness, embrace, reconciliation and service delivery.
The general election of April 22 gave us a gasp of fresh air while coping with the smell of old political socks. All the major parties promised to change the world with no intention of delivering anything.
It became a competition like Strictly Come Dancing. Do voters want Jacob Zuma's umshini-wami toyi-toyi? Or Helen Zille's springkaan-in-die-broekie koekie-loekie? Rather the dancer you know than the dancer you don't?
Happily the election turned out to be free and fair and after that grotesque and gruelling audition for the part of the president, Jacob Zuma took the oath, smiled, sang and danced. Msholozi showed himself to be a man of charm and the new charismatic lead player in our own soap-opera: Desperate First Ladies.
And 2010 always seemed to get more attention than 2009. Everything is geared to that winter's month when the necklace of new soccer stadiums become the arenas of the Soccer World War.
Fifa has done what even a National Party government couldn't - they have bent and knotted our laws and rights to suit their pockets to the extent of suggesting the legalisation of prostitution during the games. They caught us out! In spite of our constitution, South Africa still criminalises sex workers! They should be unionised, protected and shown as much respect as we show other prostitutes, otherwise known as actors and politicians. This year saw the shop window of South Africa glitter with goodies to please a globalising First World. Promises were so glibly made they sounded like solutions. But the backyard of delivery is more of a mess than ever.
Elite
The only government departments that work are those that make money for the ruling elite. All of those focused on the needs of the people are derelict - Health, Housing, Transport, Security, Education. The groaning legacy of eight years of Mbekivellian denials, lies, hypocrisy, corruption and fear have hollowed out the nation's courage.
Millions of voters born after Mandela walked free are crippled by a half-education through carelessness and malaise. They listen to the black noise that has given Julius Malema the manure heap from which he crows. Is there no other young potential leader in the ANC to rid us of this talentless twit?
The Zuma government chose Aids Day to roll out its acceptance that HIV causes Aids. Where were they the last eight years? And while too many sighed with relief and celebrated this "turnaround", don't forget it conveniently happened hours before the World Cup draw in Cape Town. More Gesture Politics? Or will things really change soon? Tell that to the thousand South Africans who die each day.
Revenge is exhausting and pointless. Thanks to Thabo and Manto, over 300 000 South Africans died of a disease that can be treated. Let us remind the world of the facts and make sure that wherever Thabo Mbeki goes to reap the rewards of elder statesmanship he is confronted by decent angry people who call him by names he has earned.
It's Christmas. Not for all our people, but at least New Year is shared by most. We all got a second chance in 1994. We will not get a third chance in 2010. South Africa is not following the blueprint of democracy; we are the blueprint. The World Cup is crucial. Everyone must win. So let the people lead and maybe the government will look up from its ill-gotten spoils and follow.