We saw that African lives were less important than those of Europeans. Yet what have we done as Africans for the world to see that we value our own?
The decline in the matric pass rate is not nearly enough as the first matric students graduate under the "Caps" curriculum.
As we continue to reel from the horrific massacre in Paris, let us all be Charlie – a new byword for global solidarity against the tyranny of fear.
Entering 2015, it feels as though we should be a nation on tranquillisers. But, at the same time, there are encouraging signs for South Africa.
Political interference with Sars is a serious attack on the independence of the institution.
In February 1994 Nelson Mandela, the then ANC president, said: "A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy."
We need to work out how to make the knowledge gained over the past 20 years work for us.
The courts have ruled in disapproval of secrecy and unduly delay, and rightfully so.
South Africa has one of the fastest-growing diabetes epidemics in the world. But HIV and Aids are reported more truthfully nowadays.
Both party funding and political debate are obscured by non-disclosure of financial sources. Parliament must change this urgently.