Arguably, very few South Africans will look back on 2013 with great fondness. It has been tough on many fronts. At work, the industrial unrest has been unsettling, particularly as it occurred in the context of an already weak business climate. At home, people worry about new expenses such as e-tolls and the likelihood that the weakening rand will raise costs generally. Bad news on corruption, rhino poaching, wasted public funds and child rape has exacted an emotional toll. Much as we would like to start 2014 with a clean slate, most of us realise that the effects are likely to linger for a while yet.