adminapproaches its dying stages, we have to evaluate the year and look back into 2012 in retrospect.
The year was surely filled with many moments, so many, that we just wish we could capture and archive them all.
There were definitely some moments which if given a chance, we would want to re-live and cherish forever and then others that we would quickly want to forget.
There were glorious and dark moments in the year, but all the same we survived, that’s a good reason to celebrate and be grateful.
So as we wind up 2012, let’s take this opportunity to look back and take stock of the moments of the past 12 months.
Many things happened in the teenage world and we have listed a few of some of the good things that happened in the teen world.
Harare International Festival of the Arts came and went but the memories imprinted on many children who attended the festival will forever linger in their minds.
Think of the Simba YouthZone, where teens were given a chance to showcase their talents. Thanks to Hifa and the media for recognising the unsung heroes in “Teenville”.
Flip Floppers, the Beatz, Dominican Convent, Arundel and Emerald Hill schools among others managed to wow the crowds with their scintillating performances.
London hosted the 2012 Olympics, and these Games were described as the best games in the modern era.
The congregation of the finest sportsmen from all the corners of the world. To add gloss to the famous and exciting games was one teenage star — 19-year-old Keshorn Walcott — from Trinidad & Tobago.
He won the Olympic gold medal in javelin with a throw of 84,58 metres, beating Ukraine’s Oleksandr Pyatnytsa and Finland’s Antti Ruuskanen, becoming the youngest-ever Olympic champion in javelin throw and the second non-European to ever win the Olympic gold in men’s javelin throw since Cy Young in Helsinki in 1952.
Keshorn Walcott you beauty!
Certainly it inspired hope that Zimbabwe could also produce the next generation of gold medallists at the Olympics and achievers on the world stage in other arenas.
In the arts sector, we saw the rise of many child stars who changed the outlook of the industry.
Locally, Munashe “Spiderman” Tanjani, nephew to one of the popular dancehall artistes, Jiggaz, has carved out a name for himself. Spiderman wows crowds whenever he performs and his lyrical genius saw him performing alongside Jamaican greats who visited Zimbabwe earlier in the year. One of his hits — “Ihii” — has taken the country by storm. A 12-year-old Brazilian gospel singer known as Jota made headlines the world over.
His YouTube videos have had many hits and everyone who watches him is immediately enchanted by his talent. So comfortable is his performance that one would almost almost believe he was born on stage.
Jota’s performances are breathtaking; and he is already being compared to the late Michael Jackson.
“Jota is too talented; he can do anything with his voice. I love his music,” said one fan who posted a comment of YouTube.
The year also saw the coming into office of a new Junior Government led by His Excellency Child President Tatenda Christian Rusere, deputised by the Vice President Natasha Kasukuwere.
This Government has not been idle as they have been working hard since they were elected into office, advocating for children’s rights, especially those with disabilities since this year’s theme of the Day of the African Child focused on children with disabilities.
Miss Teen Zimbabwe also crowned a new beauty queen — Soraya — who went on to represent the country at the Miss Teen Universe.
The beautiful Soraya has been actively involved in most children initiatives across the country.
Luke Jongwe, a Zimbabwe U19 national cricket team player, is one of the teenagers whose star has shone the brightest in the sporting field as he has got his first cap for the senior national cricket team.
If you have a story to tell about the successes or achievements of children in your community, Cool Lifestyle is willing to publish them.
Raise a glass and celebrate the end of another good year. Our thoughts are with the families who lost a child in 2012, may all the souls of children who passed on this year rest in eternal peace. Till next year guys, wish you all a prosperous New Year.
God bless you all.
Ciao . . .
The writer is a motivational speaker. He can be contacted on [email protected]
Online Reporter