Year In Review: 2016 Top newsmakers

I know. What is he even doing on this list right? Everyone hates him? He's just so…him? Well in 2016 the Donald was even more of himself. And it won him a whole presidency. Watching the results coming in in early November was classic. Anchors in utter disbelief, because you see the world over, everyone started gearing up for a Hillary Clinton presidency. Well now we know. That didn't happen. Nothing is ever a given. So let's see if walls really go up in 2017. 

Fees Must Fall movement

This movement was always going to be brought into 2016. And it's unlikely that it will die any slow death in 2017. Students across the country shut down campuses, demanding free higher education. 2017 could see much more of these protests because we are nowhere near the goal of free education materialise. Government has made it clear that not everyone can have the luxury of not paying. 2017, I will venture to argue, will be the year of the student. It will be a defining year for higher learning in South Africa. 

Jacob Zuma 

Developments with the Gupta familiy and the release of the Public Protector's report on the State of capture made for some of the biggest stories of the year. In every one of these stories mentioned as a key figure - the country's president. The contents of the State of Capture report were indeed explosive. A court earlier ruled that it must be made public, after the president's half baked attempt at stopping it. The president and some cabinet ministers are mentioned in the report. Audio tapes of Thuli Madonsela's chat with Zuma was also released - revealing very little was said or explained by him. It was also the year prominent political figures and civil society demanded the president leave office. That demand has not subsided, and will surely also be made in 2017. 

Thuli Madonsela 

The former Public Protector ended her tenure with a bang. The State of capture report caused an uproar - it's release challenged by president Zuma. 

Over the years, Thuli Madonsela, has become  a familiar name banted about when South Africans talk about wrondgoing and who should take responsibility for investigating it. She became synonymous with the fearless pursuit of justice, and will remain a familiar name on the lips of many. 

Pravin Gordhan

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan dominated news headlines for a while when it seemed that he was going to be prosecuted for fraud - because the NPA boldly said so….but then withdrew the matter. Amid a myriad of matters, Gordhan also dealt with possible ratings downgrades and questions on whether fees can really fall this year. Gordhan took up his current reigns, after a volatile few days in December 2015 - when Des Van Rooyen was appointed Finance Minister, only to be removed mere days later. He too, seemed fearless and committed to the job at hand this year, not buckling to Hawks demands or pressure to do anything other than his job. 

SABC 8

It was a bizarre and stressful year for journalists no doubt. But the reporters who later became known as the SABC 8 know all too well what that meant in 2016. After all of them questioned and spoke out about editorial decisions being made in the newsroom of the SABC - they were fired, and then reinstated, with the exeption of one - after fighting the decision in the labour court. In front of the SABC inquiry, Krivani Pillay, Thandeka Gqubule, Lukhanyo Calata and Vuyo Mvoko recounted their experiences at the SABC, detailing the editorial lines followed - mentioning those they deem to be enforcers. The names of Jimi Matthews, Sophie Mokoena, Nothando Maseko and Nyana Molete have all been mentioned. The revelations and their actions to stand up and speak out, could very well signal a turning point in the life of the SABC. The issues will no doubt still make headlines in 2017 and beyond. 

Hlaudi Motsoeneng

SABC frontman Hlaudi Motsoeneng is still employed at the SABC it seems. After much time spent in court this year, a Western Cape judge ruled Motsoeneng's appointment at the public broadcaster was irrational and unlawful. He remarked that Motsoeneng should not be employed in any position at the SABC. Motsoeneng's name has also been mentioned various times at the SABC parliamentary inquiry  - where he has been depicted as the man running things at the public broadcaster - and being behind controversial decision making. Motsoeneng has also been a firm favourite when it comes to memes and sparking trending topics on Twitter this year.

The SABC board

At this stage of the year you might ask what board? And you'd be right, because effectively there is no board, after the chairperson, it's last remaining member, resigned. The resignation came months after he  boldly declared at a presser that he would never step down. Appearing in front of a parliamentary inquiry into the SABC, former board chairperson Mbulaheni Maguvhe was quoted as saying that Hlaudi Motsoeneng was doing a sterling job - one of the only things he seemed certain about as he struggled through his account of what is happening at the public broadcaster.

Trevor Noah

Comedian Trevor Noah had an awesome year. Being the new face of the Daily Show was never going to be an easy task. The criticism came and left, and South African born Noah is seemingly easing into the role - with a book to match as the year draws to a close. 

The average South African 

YOU - Yes you South African. Because you kind of did a lot this year. You made a difference, and sometimes that difference wasn't really significant because it only counted on twitter but still, everyone heard you, almost every day. Look at how you controlled the outcome of our local government election  - now who really saw that one coming? Your action or inaction on this one caused change in three major cities. You were at the forefront of major protests, participating in it and just generally giving your two cents' worth. Let's hope your voice will be dominant in 2017.