A message on Christmas Day

 Many people write about the year in review, or the outlook for the new year, from the desk of.. 

I'm writing to you from the table in my dining room, with the sound of a water fountain in my central courtyard in the background. Never could writing a Christmas message be easier. With no family around, a simple lunch planned in the form of a braai, only me and my Thai lady at home, and all of my family doing their own thing this year, I have the time, and peace, and quiet, to reflect on the past year, to look at the new year, and to share with you my blessings.

It's been in outstanding year when you look at the global picture. Uncertainty driven by Trump on steroids and the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine has seen the gold price reach 4500 USD an ounce, and it's now heading for USD 5000. It means lots of foreign currency coming into gold rich South Africa, with the ZAR (Rand) strengthening, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange reaching new highs, petrol getting cheaper, and our debt responsibility to the outside world becoming less and cheaper. Interest rates have come down, and is expected to come down further, making debt servicing costs cheaper, and giving South Africans more money in their pockets and to invest. 

House prices have started to rise from a very low base because of the depression that set in around 2018 and that only came to an end towards the end of 2024. It means affordable housing for those thinking of getting onto the property ladder, and the prospects of excellent growth in capital over the next year or two or three.

Can we be more blessed to live in a time where technology is advancing at such a pace that we're seeing computer starting to out-perform humans, cars can now drive by itself, we're now consuming more electricity generated from the energy of the sun, wind and water than from coal or gas, and with the further prospects that computers may, sooner than we can imagine, start undoing the cancers and sicknesses of our time, and solving more and more of the challenges faced by mankind!

Can we be more proud of being a nation with the best rugby team in the world, for more than 5 years now and, the world's top cricket team is also from South Africa !! Can we please introduce the Rainbow Nation again..

We are also privelaged to be part of a time of new discoveries with the successful launch of the James Webb telescope in space, showing us in details just how small we are, and also how far we can explore.

2025 treated the wealthy very well, with almost every new day seeing a new person creating a billion dollars in fortune. The youngest of these are three 22-year-old self-made billionaires, showing their commitment and interest in Artificial Intellegence. It shows that opportunities are in abundance, with the poorest of the poor also better off than before.

The year treated me very well too, thanks to good health, realistic targets, and love in this world. There are 5 days left, and I may just exceed my financial goals. I've had at least 2 months of holidays, remained faithful to my partner, invested in upgrades at my home, got more into gardening - now that I'm thinking of buying a big piece of land in the countryside - stressed less by doing the right thing, rather than to work without a plan and, and I discovered ChatGTP to help answer my questions, thanks to an introduction by my sister Lolita. 

2026 should be an excellent year for South Africa, almost something like 1994. The wars of the world are far away, and our strategic position here at the south point of Africa will continue to attract visitors and money, and the attention of the rich and famous. The City of Cape Town is not only one of the most beautiful and affordable in the world, it is also the shining star of a well-run city in this country. When you have property here, or can afford to live here, just know that you are special and very privaledged. Count your blessings. 

Greetings for a happy and prosperous new year from Observatory. 

Thank you for your support.

Werner Steyn

NS: Nou kan ek die vuur aansteek ;)

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