So there you have it - 2013 has ground to a halt and, while the very latter part of the year may have seen a nation united, the vast former part of it was largely fraught with a couple of back-and-forth issues that saw the opposite.
Just looking back at the year in ITWeb headlines, two strike me as standouts when it comes to explosive fighting that sparked interest and debate: second pay-TV operator TopTV's bid to bring pornography to SA's televised airwaves for the first time in the country's history; and government's electronic tolling of Gauteng's highways.
While neither dispute was actuated in 2013, both were detonated - in one way or another - towards the end of this year, with both conquerors seeing the fruits of their toil last week.
In the words of former world heavyweight champion boxer Mike Tyson: "I intend to fight and I want to win."
And fight and win is what the tenacious victors did - one against all odds and one against popular opinion.
Moral battlefield
Fight number one, concluded theoretically in April this year, saw TopTV in the ring with institutes that dubbed its adult content proposal a "flood of filth". But the struggling business proved it could roll with the morally indignant punches and persist.
I picture the scene in an archetypal boxing match setting: "Let's get ready to rumble! Good evening and welcome to a standoff that is sure to be both entertaining and debate-inciting.
"In the left corner, aged just three and weighing in at under 200 000 paying subscribers (and dwindling): TopTV..."
[Aside by second commentator *Steve] "Let it be known, this contender's determination is heavily fuelled by its desperation to beat the odds and make headway in an arena dominated by heavyweight champion MultiChoice - which, I might add, tried the same tactic in the past and failed. But who needs tactics when you have over four million subscribers, right *John?"
John: "You said it Steve. Getting on with proceedings: In the right wing - I mean corner - weighing in at thousands of supporters and a firm unbeliever in the freedom of choice: the anti-porn faction..."
[Steve aside] "Now this bloc is known for being affronted by contenders who strike below the belt - and no amount of research contrary to its beliefs is going to put it off a bitter-end fight, John."
Anyway, to cut a long match short, ref Independent Communications Authority of SA eventually took a blow-by-blow account and deemed TopTV victorious. The operator has launched its new bouquets under its new name, StarSat. Porn to the nation.
Formidable opponent
Match two this year saw motorists in their masses throwing their hats in the ring; and government - represented by the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) and Department of Transport (DOT) - took up the challenge with guns blazing.
Although the issue of e-tolling was born years back, this fight really took to the battleground last year - escalating this year when words turned to warfare amid the state's concrete resolutions.
Just when Christmas bells started to chime and joyous holiday spirit filled SA, Sanral and the DOT went and gave motorists the old one-two.
Tempers really flared when Sanral said its contentious open road tolling system would go live mid-year. This did not happen quite then, but eventually - with court cases and formalities out of the way - Sanral and the DOT stole the belt.
This is more or less how I see it going down in the ring: "Hello again and welcome to what promises to be another entertaining showdown - an unprecedented David and Goliath battle. In the left corner, weighing in at whatever it chooses and packing a punch that defies opposition: Sanral and the DOT..."
[Steve aside] "Bear in mind, this contender's moves often fly in the face of popular sentiment. There isn't a whole lot its opponent can do when it has its mind made up. I've got to be honest John - I'm thinking KO."
John: "Well, Steve - that may well be, but you know in this game it's not over till it's over. So let's introduce the opponent anyway.
"In the right corner, weighing in at a meagre majority and tired of paying taxes that are unaccounted for: South African citizens."
Needless to say, just when Christmas bells started to chime and joyous holiday spirit filled SA, Sanral and the DOT went and gave motorists the old one-two. Motorists are now officially legally obliged to pay whenever they use Gauteng's highways. Another tax for road users.
That is pretty much a wrap - at least for the time being. Both losing challengers have vowed not to throw the towel in just yet, so we can expect a lot more action in 2014.
* Fictitious names for the sake of dramatic effect.
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