THE year 2023 has ended.
Many people have now entered 2024 with fresh dreams and new hope.
They're eager to see what the new year will bring in their lives, considering the negative and painful things that happened throughout 2023.
Many people died from crimes such as gender-based violence (GBV), robberies and house breakings.
And the majority of people, including the youth, are still unemployed, while some are losing hope and wondering if the same challenges they faced will haunt them in 2024 or if they should stay positive and hope for the best this year.
Daily Sun caught up with Reverend Mzwandile Molo to find out what to expect in 2024.
Molo, who is also the deputy secretary general of the South African Council of Churches (SACC), said many challenges facing the country will unfortunately remain in 2024 and that they can only be addressed if people are willing to work together.
Molo said challenges related to corruption remain a big problem in the country.
ALSO READ: Chillas victim's apology to his killers
He said the cost of living remains high, inequality is increasing, and the poor are getting poorer as many people still can't afford a decent life.
"For things to change in the new year, people must be prepared to work together. We are called to act now as we hope for a different future. There's an opportunity for us to come together as a nation and commit to finding leaders who will lead us with a common vision that will inspire us all to work together,” Molo said.
He said they've seen some signs of hope in the world that the economic situation could change, inflation could go down, and the cost of living could also go down, adding that people should pray for a better 2024.
Molo said 2023 was a bad year, not only for South Africa, but for the whole continent.
"We must be ready to engage in true reconciliation where we come together as one nation. We look forward to a year where we strengthen the protection of whistleblowers and create spaces where they can do their work without intimidation in our churches, communities and also in our businesses," he said.
