EDITOR’S COMMENT

Resilience in uncertain times

As I sit here writing my last comment for this most challenging year, I have a sense of peace and hope.

Something that I suppose I’ve been avoiding, owing to the uncertainty of the last two years and thanks to Covid-19.

We have all been living in a time of uncertainty, but honestly, the discovery of the new Omicron variant caused much of a stir. The world certainly reacted rather hastily by immediately putting South Africa on red lists and most countries around the world applied new travel bans on our country.

However, what I have read about this new variant is that even though it seems to be a lot more contagious, its symptoms are a lot milder. Unfortunately, it seems to be impacting the children more this time around but, again due to the milder conditions, it isn’t as ‘deadly’ as previous strains.

If you read up on the Spanish flu pandemic, which occured over a century ago, there are some similarities. The good news is that at the end of that pandemic, the variants were more contagious, but a lot milder.

So, could this be the beginning of the end of the Covid-19 pandemic?

Of course, I am no prophet, but I have to believe things are changing for the better — call me the eternal optimist. Quite frankly, we have survived thus far and have learnt to live with Covid-19 and whichever variant transpires.

I suppose the announcement that Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba is all set for 2022, has also given me much hope that our industry is slowly getting back on track. I can’t wait for Meetings Africa. It is my most favourite industry show. Next year’s show will be even better as it will genuinely be a reunion of colleagues, industry friends and African partners.

As I reflect on this annus horribilis, I sit here wondering what the new year portends?

Quite honestly, I wish I had more answers. I know that South Africans are resilient and our sector has certainly proven its resilience and grit in these most challenging times. As I mentioned a few months ago, I still believe we need to partner more with our fellow African countries. We need to strengthen our bond and, in so doing, together we will rise stronger than ever before.The time is now for Africa, let’s rise together!

From the Contact Publications team and I, we would like to thank you for all your support over this tumultuous year and wish you much more prosperity, peace, hope and certainty in the new year!

Irene

Email: gomesi@iafrica.com