2024: The Year That Was
Tech Things #36
I’m already on leave so no actual tech update apart from my annual round-up, but don’t forget to check out some great articles on Recharged this month. I review the Laifen Swift Special hairdryer, Yenzi shares her Creators’ Christmas wishlist, Marcé writes a thought provoking piece on consumerism, and MJ has a Switch review out for the holidays, Mario & Luigi: Brothership.
You may be interested to know that MTN has launched a travel eSIM, Apple Intelligence is live in SA, the top Google Search terms in SA 2024, and a guest contribution by Kelly Fisher again: top handheld games for all ages.
And now, for my 2024: The Year That Was post. As always feel free to do your own version and let me know where to find it.
1. What did you do in 2024 that you’d never done before?
Drove a hydrogen car — twice (BMW iX5 and Toyota Mirai); visited Google’s first AI research centre in Africa (Ghana); saw the Great Wall of China (never got to see it on a previous trip); attended my first UEFA Champions League match and it was the finals, complete with in a hospitality suite with Oppo; finally launched a podcast; hosted a year-end lunch for my team at Recharged.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Y’all know the drill. I don’t wait for one month in the year to improve, I do it as needed. That said, I am excited for the future of Recharged as I will have more capacity to work on it.
3. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
In a new country I’ve not been to, somewhere in cold Europe.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
USA (twice), Spain, China, Ghana, Singapore, Reunion, England, Germany (twice), Netherlands (currently here). 8 of these were business trips.
6. What would you like to have in 2025 that you lacked in 2024?
More time pitching for Recharged. I have these big plans in my head but then life happens, I’m traveling, don’t have free time, etc. I need to find a balance.
7. What date from 2024 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
9 December. My dad’s birthday. I made a spontaneous surprise 2 day trip to Cape Town to join my sisters, their families, and my parents. We don’t often get to all spend time together or visit my sister who lives in CT as a group (we just missed my elder sis who was abroad).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting a sponsor for my podcast. Purely because the brand pitched me, and not the other way around. It was one of those “pinch me” moments. Shout out to Naked, the insurance app for making my dream a reality.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I don’t want this to feel like a cop out as I share something every year but I cannot pin point one specific thing that was the most definitive failure. Sure, I am losing work yet again from the City Press (last print run on 22 Dec), admitted I took on too much and cut back on paid writing work (tough decision that had to be done), but I don’t see those as “failures”.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I did. I was booked off for something that was picked up earlier this year (thus, I could not judge the SA Car of the Year Awards, which I subsequently stepped away from). And then in the middle of the year, I had a cough and throat issues for two months without having the flu. My podcast co-host Samina and I had to take a break because we couldn’t record (she had something similar about a week after I got it).
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My iPad Mini 7th-gen for R400. I traded-in my previous-gen model + used my Discovery Miles I’d been saving to fund it (I’m always in it for the long game) and just came short of R400. I was ridiculously excited about this.
12. Where did most of your money go?
Travels! And the little bit of free time we get in business trips where I do a little bit of shopping.
13. What song will always remind you of 2024?
How can it not be Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso.
14. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Took more leave, even for a spa day. I’ve been wanting to go for a year and *cough* never found the time. In fact, after I did the Dolphin Trail last year, I told myself I should treat myself to a spa day. I’ll make it happen in 2025, Insha Allah.
15. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eat. I have been eating badly this year, eating what I consider junk for my body.
16. What was your favourite TV program?
I don’t have a favourite but binged Nobody Wants This.
17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No.
18. What was the best book you read?
I didn’t read as much as I should.
19. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I’m gonna cheat with this one and say Linkin Park with their new female lead singer. I didn’t want to like her when I saw their announcement but her voice is good.
20. What was your favourite film of this year?
I loved Deadpool & Wolverine, saw it on opening night. Not surprised it is the highest grossing R-rated film of all time.
21. What did you do on your birthday?
I was fasting for Ramadan (like the last 3 years), but as of next year, it won’t fall during Ramadan. I had a busy travel year work wise so didn’t plan anything after.
22. What kept you sane?
Being grateful, counting my blessings.
23. Who did you miss?
My friends who emigrated over the years. I find it difficult keeping in touch in different time zones.
24. Who was the best new person you met?
I fortunately get to meet a lot of inspiring people in the tech space and while I am not going to pinpoint anyone specifically, I am glad I made time for the events I did, this year. There’s been great opportunities that have come my way, and it doesn’t happen without networking.
25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2025:
That it’s totally okay to say “no” when opportunities come for whatever reason: whether the timing is not right or it’s just not a fit for me. I was reminded this year that it’s so important to know when to take a stand, know what I won’t compromise on. I don’t speak about these things because it’s nobodies business but I turned down a 50K deal this year. I know people may think it’s absolutely insane but for me it wasn’t the right time. I make dua/pray more opportunities will come my way. I’m not a “yes” person and hope to stay that way.
And that’s a wrap for my year! Thanks for reading and subscribing. I hope you have a wonderful festive season break wherever you are. Catch you all in the new year!
Till next time,
Nafisa