The year 2021 in Retrospect

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The year 2021 was seemingly defined by the Covid-19 pandemic, historic elections in sub-Saharan Africa and most importantly,  the subsequent takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban. Despite all this, the year has also yielded unmatched entertainment and opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. A lot happened in the past twelve months but we are grateful of all the lessons and experiences, we face the future with a new sense of purpose and much-needed hope.


POLITICS

The body politics of Zimbabwe had the worst possible genesis of 2021, with Covid-19 claiming the lives of three senior cabinet officials. The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Joel Biggie Matiza died on January 22, two days after the death of Sibusiso Moyo who served as the Foreign Affairs Minister. The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ellen Gwaradzimba was the first to depart on January 15, she was 60.


The inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States took place on January 20 and the whole world watched as the chaotic regime of Donald Trump came to an end. The function was a marvel to watch, with youth poet, Laureate Amanda Gorman stealing the show. While things were happening in Washington D.C during Joe Biden's first 100 days, different episodes continued to unfold in Kampala, Kwazulu-Natal and Harare respectively. 


Uganda went to the polls in January and Yoweri Museveni beat Bobi Wine in a close election contest. In South Africa, Julius Malema did the unexpected in 2021. He went on Twitter and asked to meet Jacob Zuma over tea to discuss issues that are of national importance. Zuma responded and he had this to say: "Nkandla village is home and that is where my time is spent these days. Tea I have plenty of, you are more than welcome to come over for a cup." 


After serving his country as the Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of State Security for a combined  17 years, before his three year term of service as the vice president, Kembo Mohadi became the first government official under Mnangagwa's admnistration and the first vice president to resign in the history of Zimbabwe. Kembo was unfortunate that his phone call recordings with a girl went viral on social media. 


There was another chapter of bereavement in Africa, as the continent bid farewell to a generation of outstanding pan-Africans. Tanzania's President,  John Magafuli succumbed to Covid-19 in March and in the same month, South Africa's Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini passed on. He was 72.


History was however made in the SADC region, when Tanzania appointed Samia Suluhù Hassan as the first female designated survivor after the death of President Magufuli. In Mozambique, the Northern Province of Cabo Delgado was under siege, thousands of people including foreigners were displaced, while conflict and fighting continue to escalate in Palma. 


The Pan-African Parliament which was expected to discuss important matters such as vaccine roll-out, terrorism and elections on the continent let Africans down as chaos erupted over the election of a new parliamentary president. In other news, Swaziland went to the streets to protest for democracy in Africa's last absolute monarchy that has been ruled by King Mswati III for thirty-five years now.


Deported Zimbabweans made headlines sometime in July when they came back home with nothing. On the other hand, chaos continued to unfold in South Africa as former president, Jacob Zuma was arrested, resulting in civil unrest and looting of shops. The former first lady of Zimbabwe, her Excellency Janet Banana passed on in July.  President Mnangagwa's book, 'Life of Sacrifice' was launched, while the current first lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa was awarded a gold medal by her husband for her outstanding philanthropic activities. 


Zambian elections, Guinea's second coup in just over a year and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan were the major political highlights of the month of August and September respectively. Jacob Zuma was acquitted from prison and in Malawi, the deputy speaker shot and killed himself in the parliament building. Nelson Chamisa's car was attacked while Patrick Chinamasa's house was gutted by fire.


A United Nations special envoy visited Zimbabwe to assess the impacts of sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies soon after the return of Zimbabwe's delegation from the Climage Change summit, Cop26. South Africa held its local  government elections and ZANU-PF finally hosted its national people's congress. The plight of Mary Mubaiwa-Chiwenga continues to touch and affect the hearts of many mothers around the world.


The former President of South Africa,  FW De Clerk passed on in November,  while the spokesperson of ZANU-PF, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo breathed his last in the same month. It was a sad boxing day for the Tutu family, as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu passed on. He was 90.

BUSINESS 
 
Nigeria's former Finance Minister and ex-Managing Director of the World Bank,  Ngozi Okonjo-lweala became the first woman and African to lead the number one international trade body. Okonjo-lweala, 66, was appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, (WTO) in February. 


Ghana received good news in April after Twitter described the country "as a champion for democracy, a supporter of free speech,  online freedom and Open Internet". Besides hosting Twitter, Accra is already home to the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). That is another reason why Jack Dorsey opted for Accra and not Abuja.  Twitter's presence in the region will enable the tech giant to improve their services across Africa, especially when they find themselves in the same neighbourhood with the secretariat of AfCFTA.


Zimbabwe is one of the 191 countries taking part at the six months long global exhibition which kicked off on October 1, 2021 and runs until March 31 next year. Expo 2020 Dubai hosts more than 25 million visitors in what is probably the biggest global showcase that explores trade, investment and business partnerships across economies. Back home, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show were held one after the other in the month of August. 



Zimbabwe lost influential business leaders during the course of the year. Business mogul, Worthwhile Mugabe, succumbed to Covid-19 two days short of his 53rd birthday. Business executive and former BancABC CEO, Douglas Munetsi was killed in a house fire in November. 


The kitchens in  heaven won't be the same again, after multi-award winning businesswoman and 'Sis Bee's kitchen' chain of restaurants owner Beauty Mpofu died in December. The City of Bulawayo Director of Engineering Services,  Engineer Simela Dube passed on with just a day to go before the new year.


ENTERTAINMENT 

The 2021 month of love had no love at all after the passing on of Soul Jah Love two days after valentine's day. Born Soul Musaka, the dancehall star was declared a libertarian hero and was buried at Warren Hills Heroes Acre after a long battle with diabetes.  He was 31. Former Studio263 actress,  model and film producer, Anne Nhira died in March from injuries she sustained during a robbery in BredfordView,  South Africa.


Oprah, Meghan and Harry dominated the small screen during the entire first quarter of 2021. The special interview was shocking. Meghan said that, life as a royal had made her suicidal. The royal relationship between Harry and Meghan has gone through a lot, but not as much as the Gates couple. Bill and Melinda Gates announced their divorce in May after 27 years of marriage. Melinda accused Bill of cheating. 


Back in Lagos, Nigeria's Temitope Balogun (TB) Joshua passed on in June and in South Africa, veteran actors, Menzi Ngubeni and Shona Fergusson passed on the following month. It was a different winter season for Zimbabwe as the legendary rhumba sensation, Kofi Olomide came to warm up Harare and worked with Roki to produce one of the hit-tracks of 2021, 'patati patata'.


Tinashe Mugabe was under the spotlight for some time in 2021 before his paternity television show was rocked with scandals. The local drama series, Wadiwa Wepamoyo season two was finally released while Zimbabwe's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance,  George Guvamatanga paid Mafikizolo and Makhadzi more than R1 million so that he could enjoy their performances on his birthday.


All the iPhone users had a good time on clubhouse before Twitter spaces took momentum to accommodate  others. "Keep your country" those were the words of television personality Somizi Mhlongo after he was blocked from visiting Zimbabwe by the government because of his sexual orientation. 


Tyra 'Madam boss' Chikocho had a good run in 2021. The comedian is busking in glory after scooping her first international award in the E! People's Choice awards. The social media personality became the first Zimbabwean to be nominated and eventually win the award. Several hashtags went viral on social media this year including #boycotdendairy to #NIGZIM.



The Hero of the Year award goes to Sirizani Butau, the truck driver who put his life on the line to rescue his fellow countrymen on Christmas eve.
Social media celebrated Butau and once his EcoCash mobile number was put on social media, people sent him money until his wallet reached its limit as a gesture to honor his selflessness. 


The President recognised Butau for putting his own life at risk to save traffic accident victims who could have been burnt in a conflagration when a bus and a fuel tanker collided. The government has promised to recognise Butau while many have called on the government to honor him with a diplomatic passport and meeting all his medical expenses. 


SPORTS

South Africa's business tycoon,  Patrice Motsepe was elected as the new boss of African football and unlike other premier soccer leagues, the Zimbabwe PSL did not kick off  during the greater part of the season. The 2020 edition of the Tokyo Olympic games finally took centre stage in 2021 and who would forget Zimbabwe's teenager,  Donata Katai who represented her country in the swimming pool and became the first Zimbabwean swimmer of color to compete at the games.


A dark cloud turned over the football fraternity in the month of August,  as Zimbabwe paid their last respects to some of the legends of the game. Former Zimbabwe Warriors manager and ex-Highlanders chairman,  Ernst 'Maphepha' Sibanda, former Dynamos superstar and Warriors forward, George 'Mastermind' Shaya and former Caps United captain Joe 'Kode' Mugabe died in the same month.


The dark chapter in Zimbabwean football continued with the national senior men's team playing to winless matches and draws. The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Board fired coach Loga with little knowledge that, them soon would face the exit door. Norman Mapeza will be directing instructions from the bench next month during the AFCON qualifiers.


Currently, the country has no ZIFA board because the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended the board as well the councillors. Meanwhile FIFA has ordered government not to interfere in football matters and as for the Warriors, they arrive at the AFCON war in Cameroon having left a crumbling base at home.


What are we without the beautiful game of cricket? King Taylor hung his boots sometime in September after 17 years of exceptional batting and wicketkeeping. The  ICC T/20 Men's Cricket World Cup got underway in the United Arab Emirates, (UAE) and Oman. Australia and New Zealand faced off in the finals and the Aussies won the match and their first ever T/20 title. 


A good year for rugby fans as the reigning world cup champions, the Springboks beat the British & Irish Lions 2-1 in a three test match series. The year 2021 will go down memory lane as one of the most fascinating Formula1 sporting calendar year of all times. Take a bow for Max Verstappen the man who beat Sir Lewis Hamilton in a last lap sprint to claim the F1 crown during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.


Veteran football administrator, Ndumiso 'Gumz' Gumede passed on this month in Bulawayo after a short illness. Gumede is an ex-ZIFA president and Gumz also served Highlanders Football Club in various positions including being the chairman and CEO of the club. Ndumiso was the president of Bosso, a position he held at the time of his death. 


The year was incredible! The first half of the year was filled with anxiety, fear and confusion which quickly turned into a virtual sense of oneness, hope and a spirit to fight for survival - together. After all that we have encountered; now we're walking out of 2021 and we are taking what we have learnt with us.



@stajicesimmz