How many of the year’s events can you remember? (Answers below)
1 Who won this year’s Nobel Prize for Literature?
2 Which KwaZulu-Natal mayor said Cape Town could “keep [the] moffies and gays”?
3 Who is the Mail & Guardian‘s new proprietor and CEO? A bonus point for naming its new editor. Subtract a point if you confuse the two.
4 Name the hospital superintendent who the Mpumalanga health MEC fired for allowing an NGO to give advice on anti-retrovirals to HIV-positive pregnant women.
5 Which team won the third-place play-off at the soccer World Cup?
6 A senior South African politician had his cellphone stolen while attending a colleague’s funeral. Who is he and where was he?
7 By how much will the cost of local telephone calls increase on New Year’s Day?
8 Whose speaking engagement at the Wits College of Education led to violence on the campus in September?
9 Has South Africa been given the go-ahead to sell ivory?
10 Who launched a defamation suit against Eastern Cape Premier Makhenkesi Stofile that the premier settled out of court? And how much did taxpayers cough up for the settlement?
11 The wife of which People against Gangsterism and Drugs member fell pregnant this year, although he has been in jail awaiting trial for two and a half years?
12 How many premiers has the Western Cape had since December 1 2001? A bonus point for naming them and their political parties.
13 How many mayors has Cape Town had since December 1 2001? A bonus point for naming them.
14 Which German tax fugitive is, after 40 court hearings over eight years in South Africa, finally back in his native country to face fraud and theft charges?
15 South Africa leads the world in rape, murder and what other criminal activity?
16 “Prestige” was in the news this year. This was because it’s the name of (a) An essential component of the Nepad agenda; (b) A rickety tanker that deposited millions of gallons of oil off the coast of Spain; or (c) A swanky new fashion house launched by politician-turned-dilettante Tony Yengeni.
17 The Cabinet gave final ratification to tertiary restructuring proposals in December. How many tertiary institutions will result, and how many are there now?
18 Rand Afrikaans University bitterly opposed the government’s proposal that it merge with which technikon?
19 What is the minimum thickness of plastic bags that will be allowed from May 2003?
20 Which South African rock band landed a major record deal in New York, which resulted in a name change?
21 The Springboks’ 53-3 defeat by England in November was a record loss. What was their previous worst points margin against England?
22 In education-speak, what does FET stand for and which grades does it involve?
23 How old are Orlando Pirates this year?
24 Who is the Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year 2002?
25 Who is the deputy minister of environmental affairs and tourism?
26 Which NGO led a successful campaign to get the government to provide anti-retroviral drugs to HIV-positive mothers to prevent mother-to-child transmission?
27 When will the next total eclipse of the sun occur over South Africa?
28 What is the name of the Kenyan hotel that was bombed in November?
29 For toppled Unisa council chairman McCaps Motimele, what was “the price of leadership”?
30 The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park will see fences coming down between three Southern African countries. True or false?
31 Which commission investigated corruption in the prison system?
32 The son of a Southern African head of state has been implicated in the assassination of well-known investigative journalist Carlos Cardoso. Who is he?
33 Which movie and pop star was dumped by her lover this year because she is “too old to go clubbing and stay up late”?
34 A series of cases involving accounting fraud, insider dealing and astonishing greed among top executives shook the United States markets this year. Name at least two of the three financial giants involved.
35 Who will be the University of Durban-Westville’s new vice-chancellor next year, and what in his academic record probably makes him unique among university leaders worldwide?
36 How did Jamie Sale and David Pelletier make Olympic history this year?
37 Two blockbuster movies both launched their second instalments towards the end of the year. Give the titles and authors of the books on which the films are based.
38 During their three-week reign of terror in the US states/counties of Virginia, Maryland and Montgomery, how many people did the “Suburban Snipers” shoot?
39 Which province is the mecca of “canned” lion hunters?
40 Name the Russian war correspondent who entered the Moscow theatre during the hostage drama to try and save the hostages.
41 Who has claimed responsibility for the Bali, Indonesia, bombing in October?
42 Who is the fastest man alive and what is his time?
43 How long has Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi been in power and who did he succeed?
44 How many countries were welcomed into the European Union this year, bringing its membership to 25?
45 Who is the world’s youngest president and how old is he?
46 What’s the title of the official theme song for next year’s cricket World Cup?
47 Name one of the three scientists who were awarded a Nobel Prize this year for their research into the human genome.
48 Who is the royal butler tried for stealing Princess Diana’s belongings?
49 Backed by her partner, Capetonian Nadia Abrahams accused Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United manager, of sexual harassment. Who is her partner?
50 Who succeeded Tony Yengeni as ANC chief whip?
51 Who is the Nigerian woman facing death by stoning for having a child out of wedlock?
52 What is legally the minimum wage for domestic workers?
53 Name the Afrikaans right-wing group implicated in November’s Soweto bombings.
54 The first South African in space developed and presented a science programme for pupils, putting the “cool” back into school. Who is he and what was the slogan for the roadshow that toured the country?
55 Name Zimbabwe’s ruling party and its leader, and the opposition party and its leader.
56 How many James Bond books did Ian Fleming write, and how many Bond films have been made?
57 Which Potchefstroom businessman tackled an Irish referee when the Springboks played the All Blacks in Durban this year?
58 What is the name of the Australian fraudster whose friendship with Cherie Blair has landed the British prime minister’s wife in hot water — and what did he do for her?
59 An exhibition of work by a renowned surrealist Spanish artist recently closed in Johannesburg. Name the artist.
60 Who said: “I as prime minister promise you: I will expel Arafat”?
61 What was Song of the Year at the South African Music Awards of 2002?
62 Which American leader called himself “the man who used to be the next president of the United States”?
63 How many times has Brazil won the soccer World Cup?
64 The South African government has an inflation targeting policy to keep the CPIX (that is, inflation minus mortgage rates) between 3% and 6%. What is the current level of CPIX?
65 What country calls itself “The Pearl of Africa”?
66 What famous toy celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and after whom was it named?
67 Which writer of furry animal tales in English literature celebrates l00 years of contributions to childhood memories, and what are the furry animals?
68 Name all the actors who have played James Bond (excluding those who serially took the role in Casino Royale).
69 What does WSSD stand for?
70 Which African country made it into the quarterfinals of the soccer World Cup?
71 Which member of the Constitutional Court retired this year? And who is his replacement?
72 Which US national living in Cape Town and linked to a Seventies terror group most famous for kidnapping newspaper heiress Patty Hearst was arrested late this year? And the name of the group?
73 What is the name (un)popularly given to the Cape Town municipal police?
74 Which African journalist’s article set off rioting that led to the deaths of more than 200 people and the relocation of the Miss World pageant?
75 Name the bridge near a holiday resort that became the target of right-wing bombers in November.
76 Which parliamentarian is suing Parliament and why?
77 Which team won this year’s (baseball) World Series?
78 Has the government banned 4×4 vehicles from beaches?
79 “[He] seems to have gone bonkers in a big way.” Who was speaking and about whom?
80 Which British artist signed a record £80-million deal with EMI?
81 Which oil company recently concluded a black empowerment deal worth R1-billion with Mashudu Ramano’s African Legend?
82 Name the author of the novel on which the new, prize-winning South African movie Promised Land is based.
83 Two Cape Town properties were auctioned off amid much hype recently. Why did they come under the hammer?
84 What or who is Hanis?
85 How did “Hans” figure in the Desai commission?
86 Name the director general Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi finally rid himself of this year.
87 In civil society acronym-land, identify the APF, SMI and LPM.
88 What did national Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi vehemently deny doing at Johannesburg International airport in August?
89 “I am happy with everything and I have even been taken shopping,” said Zena Soraya Mahlangu, explaining that she is ready to marry whom?
90 Who is the arms magnate the Scorpions want to question about Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s alleged demand for a R500 000-a-year bribe in relation to the controversial arms deal?
91 Who took over as Anglo American chairperson in November when Julian Ogilvie Thompson retired after 40 years with the company?
92 “This is truly a case of the ego has landed.” What was Democratic Alliance MP Nick Clelland-Stokes referring to?
93 Myra Hindley died in prison in November, 36 years after she and her partner outraged England when they killed a number of children in the so-called Moors Murders. Who was her partner?
94 China acquired a new leader this year. Who is he and who did he replace?
95 This year marked the 30th anniversary of which sometime carrot-topped star’s seminal album. A bonus point for naming the album.
96 Which well-known sculptor from Venda was awarded the Order of the Grand Counsellor of the Baobab in silver in December?
97 Name the African dance extravaganza, produced by porn king Joe Theron, that had to move venues when it played on London’s West End because residents complained about the noise.
98 Italian fertility expert Severino Antinori again put himself at the centre of a storm recently when he predicted what?
99 Who is the new chairperson of the Human Rights Commission?
100 A movie that opened in 2002 took the highest opening-day gross in history. What was it?
101 “We thought that when the Cold War ended all countries would work together for the common good of people. But if you whites continue with arrogance, surely we will hit you!” Says who?
101 answers
1 Imre Kertesz
2 Durban’s Obed Mlaba. He later retracted the remark
3 Trevor Ncube. Mondli Makhanya
4 Dr Matthys von Mollendorff
5 Turkey
6 Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota, while he was at former safety and security minister Steve Tshwete’s funeral in May
7 12,5%
8 Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres
9 Yes and no. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species decided the Kruger Park can sell its 20 000-ton stockpile of ivory in a once-off sale, but rejected an application by South Africa to sell an annual quota of ivory on an ongoing basis
10 Former Eastern Cape education department superintendent general Modidima Mannya. Neither he nor Stofile will say how much cash it took
11 Ebrahim Jenneker. Correctional Services launched an investigation during his wife’s eighth month of pregnancy
12 Three. Former Democratic Alliance provincial leader Gerald Morkel; the New National Party’s Peter Marais; NNP leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk
13 Three. Peter Marais, Gerald Morkel and (currently) Nomaindia Mfeketo of the African Natioal Congress
14 Jurgen Harksen
15 We’re the world’s leading consumer of Mandrax, the drug of choice among many on the Cape Flats, where it is smoked with dagga as a “white pipe”
16 (b)
17 23; 36
18 Technikon Witwatersrand
19 30 microns
20 Seether (formerly Saron Gas)
21 29-9, last year
22 Further Education and Training, Grades 10, 11 and 12
23 65 years
24 Brett Murray
25 Rejoice Mabudafhasi
26 The Treatment Action Campaign
27 November 25 2030
28 Paradise Hotel
29 Presumably the R150 000 he paid to settle the sexual harassment lawsuit brought against him by former Unisa Professor Margaret Orr
30 True — fences between South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe will fall
31 Jali commission
32 Nyimpine Chissano, eldest son of Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano
33 Cher
34 Enron, Xerox and WorldCom
35 Dr Saths Cooper. He was expelled from UDW for cheating in an undergraduate exam, a charge he says was trumped up because of his political activism
36 They were also awarded figure skating pairs gold medals after it was discovered the Salt Lake City judges were biased, and might have been bribed, in making Russians Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze the winners
37 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling; The Two Towers by JRR Tolkien
38 Thirteen were shot; 10 died
39 The Free State
40 Anna Politkovskaya
41 Jemaah Islamiyah, a militant Islamic movement
42 Tim Montgomery — 9,78 seconds for 100m
43 Since 1978. He succeeded Jomo Kenyatta
44 Ten
45 Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, aged 29
46 Welcome by various artists
47 Sir John Sulston, South African-born Sydney Brenner, and American Robert Horvitz
48 Paul Burrell
49 Brian Ebden
50 Nathi Nhleko
51 Amina Lawal0
52 R498,42 a month in rural areas, R800 a month in urban metropoles
53 The Boeremag
54 Mark Shuttleworth; Hip2b2
55 Zanu-PF, Robert Mugabe; Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai
56 Fourteen books. Twenty-two movies (this includes the two “non-official” titles, Casino Royale and Never Say Never Again)
57 Pieter van Zyl
58 Peter Foster, convicted of peddling bogus slimming teas, helped her buy two flats in Bristol
59 Joan Miró
60 Binyamin Netanyahu while campaigning to succeed Ariel Sharon
61 Godoba, by Mandoza
62 Al Gore
63 Five
64 12,5%
65 Uganda
66 The teddy bear, named after former United States president Theodore Roosevelt
67 Beatrix Potter. Rabbits
68 Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan
69 World Summit on Sustainable Development
70 Senegal
71 Johann Kriegler; Dikgang Moseneke
72 John Kilgore, aka Charles or John Pape. Symbionese Liberation Army
73 Penguins, for their black and white uniforms and tendency to hang out in groups of at least three or four while issuing parking and traffic fines in the CBD
74 Isioma Daniel’s, after her ThisDay article suggested that the Prophet Mohammad would not only have approved of the Miss World contest being held in Nigeria, but might have taken one of the contestants as a bride
75 Mtamvuma river bridge near the Wild Coast Sun
76 Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, because Parliament’s ethics committee recommended she be disciplined for not fully disclosing her financial interests
77 The Anaheim Angels
78 No. Parliament this year passed legislation restricting 4×4 driving on beaches. Permits are still being issued to drivers, particularly commercial operators.
79 Desmond Tutu. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe
80 Robbie Williams
81 Caltex SA
82 Karel Schoeman
83 The beach-front apartment of former first lady Marike de Klerk at Dolphin Beach in Milnerton after her murder there. The multimillion-rand Constantia mansion of German tax fugitive Jurgen Harksen after he was extradited
84 It’s the acronym for Home Affairs National Identification System, a R1-billion computer system the government unveiled this year that will store and match all South Africans’ identity details, photographs and fingerprints
85 Senior DA officials testifying before the Desai commission said Hans is a German businessman who anonymously donated Deutschmarks to the DA. They were denying the cash came from German tax fugitive Jurgen Harksen. No one has yet found Hans
86 Billy Masetlha
87 Anti-Privatisation Forum, Social Movements Indaba, Landless People’s Movement
88 Making a bomb threat
89 Swaziland’s King Mswati III
90 Schabir Shaik
91 Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
92 President Thabo Mbeki’s new jet
93 Ian Brady
94 Hu Jintao. Jiang Zemin
95 David Bowie. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
96 Noria Mabasa
97 Umoja
98 That an unidentified woman would give birth to a cloned baby in January. Antinori triggered an uproar several years ago when he helped a 62-year-old woman to bear a child
99 Jody Kollapen
100 Spider-Man
101 Namibian President Sam Nujoma