Recently, at a typical year-end function a group of us compared notes and it was Ivan Vladislavic who said for him November/December are usually the most hectic months in the year, simply because he is franticly trying to finish all the things he had promised to do way back in January. How true.

This past year has been a year of uncertainty for South Africa with elections, a new government with many changes, including a new minister of Arts and Culture, Lulama Xingwana, while former minister Dr Z. Pallo Jordan became the South African ambassador to the United Nations.

We compared notes about the year in the arts and not surprisingly we all agreed on some of the real highlights: the Alexis Preller exhibition (still on until 5 December at the Standard Bank Gallery in Johannesburg); the tour of Renée Fleming to South Africa; the successes of the World Summit on Arts and Culture, including the fantastic opening night; the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival; the FNB Joburg Art Fair and Dance Umbrella; the nostalgic music of Johnny Clegg and the beautiful voices of the Drakensberg Boys Choir at the RMB Starlight Classic concerts. There was no squabble amongst us to declare that the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown was the winner for the energy and diversity displayed.

For me a very special moment was seeing Gregory Maqoma on stage and suddenly understanding that dance can be a very powerful communication tool. Talking to John Kani and seeing him together with Antony Sher in Janice Honeyman’s wonderful Tempest production was another highlight. Attending the opening night of Dead Man Walking performed so professionally by Cape Town Opera recently was an amazing experience.

I loved the interviews during the year and some have been truly memorable for me. Interviewing our Grande Dame of Literature Nadine Gordimer and finding a most fascinating personal side of this great writer. Talking to Hugh Masekela about getting ‘older’ and still enjoying every moment of what you are doing. Hearing from

Albie Sachs about the art collection at the Constitution Court just days before his retirement as a judge. Talking to Eduardo Villa and finding myself totally charmed by this 94-year-old artist. Finding out from Richard Cock how to nurture young talent and talking to artists Karel Nel and Willem Boshoff about their works and feeling so enriched by their insights.

I felt privileged to have sat in superb performances of our Philharmonic Orchestras throughout South Africa like the JPO, the CPO and the KZNPO and I have to thank the musicians for sharing the gift of great music with me.

All together it has been a great year, a year full of wonderful moments and my good wishes for 2010 are simple – wishing you all a Happy Festive Season and a year ahead packed with wonderful moments. You might not know it, but there is life after soccer.