Year in review: 10 reasons why 2016 was the absolute worst!

We could blame it on the fact that Mercury was in retrograde, or that it's just been a year of all-round bad luck for the world in general. But one thing's for certain: 2016 has been one that many of us would like to forget. 

As we bid good riddance to this year, here are a few reminders of why 2016 will go down in history as one of the most hated: 

Celebrity deaths:

The Grim Reaper sure was busy in 2016, with all the celebrities who passed away this year. David Bowie, Mandoza, George Michael, Prince, and Carrie Fisher - are just some of the famous names who died in 2016, sending the world into a collective mourning. 

Here's hoping that 2017 will be kinder to the world - and our celebrities.. 

The Rand plummeted: 

From SARS Wars, to the ever-looming possibility of a ratings downgrade, and ongoing political instability - the Rand took a knock in every quarter of 2016.

While there's been some recovery of late, analysts predict that 2017 will be a make-or-break year for the SA economy. We hope it's not the latter!

Fees Must Fall:

Not since the 1976 Soweto uprisings have students mobilized for a collective ideal such as the Fees Must Fall campaign. 

This year saw countless fees protests across all the major South African university campuses. Many were characterised by violent clashes between protesting students and police, with scores of student activists being arrested for public violence, damage to university property, and various other infringements. 

The protests also threw a spotlight on government's lack of involvement in the resolution of students fees issues - which only came about in the latter part of 2016 with the establishment of a Ministerial Task Team to look into solutions for the fees crisis.

The State Capture Report:

The document that opened Pandora's Box on the relationship between President Jacob Zuma and the controversial Gupta family - fueled negative sentiments about the president, and had opposition parties salivating at the revelations.

The 365-page report was released by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and her office - and throws a spotlight on numerous questionable business meetings between the president, cabinet ministers, leading business people, and the Gupta's.

A commission of inquiry into the findings of the report is currently being established, and hearings will begin in 2017. (We already have our popcorn ready!)

Toblerone changed its shape:

This was an event which caused a major global uproar. The internet completely lost its mind over the new shape of the iconic chocolate bar - after it underwent some version 2.0 changes this year.

The company explained that they changed the shape of the bars to cut-down on costs, but chocolate-lovers the world over just weren't impressed by the new larger gaps between the pyramid peaks. And boy, did they let their anger be known!

The US Elections:

So let's recap on the shock, horror and all-round bewilderment of Donald Trump's November shock win over rival, Hillary Clinton, in November 2016. 

The FBI, CIA, and outgoing President Barack Obama seem to think the Russians had something to do with rigging the votes - but the outcome of that investigation will only come about in 2017 - after Trump enters the White House. 

Until then, minorities, foreigners, and women in general in the US- will have to continue to live in doubt and fear with Donald Trump as president.

Brexit:

This was an event that had the whole world going: "WTF?" The UK's exit from the European Union in June this year, resulted in global negative consequences - and a lot of doubt for South Africa. 

The Rand - along with numerous other currencies - fell and took months to recover from the shock vote. 

And the lack of clarity as to the new trading relationship South Africa will have with the UK - now that it's no longer a part of the EU - has sent the country and investors into a spiral of doubt. 

Fingers crossed that 2017 will bring about some certainty about the whole Brexit situation, once the UK figures things out for themselves - that is.

Brangelina:

If you thought you were secure in your relationship this year, news of Hollywood power couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's divorce would have had you second-guessing your own happiness!

One of Tinseltown's most beloved couples called it quits in 2016 - sending fans into a collective meltdown. 

With accusations of extra-marital affairs (uh, wasn't that how their love story began?), to claims of bad parenting and domestic abuse - things got nasty, and public, fast!

But with six kids between them, here's hoping the beautiful twosome will play nice with the whole joint custody thing.

Aleppo: 

The Syrian civil war may have been raging on for years now, but the death toll seemed to escalate exponentially in 2016. And for the first time, the world took notice. 

The faces of children killed and injured in the war flooded news sites and social media - highlighting the ongoing devastation in that country. 

And sadly, the war is destined to worsen come 2017. 

We STILL haven't found the Saxonwold Shebeen:

For many on the Newswatch team, this remains the biggest downer of 2016. 

After numerous Google maps searches, consultations with locals, and countless anonymous tip-offs (which proved fruitless) - the preferred watering hole of former Eskom CEO, Brian Molefe, and other high-profile cabinet ministers alike - remains elusive. 

Here's hoping the country's best kept secret is revealed in 2017!