2013 ended sadly, with Madiba's passing, but that means that we can now go into 2014 with the hope that this year will be better than the last.

We in the media have the Protection of State Information Bill hanging over us; Jacob Zuma has only to sign it into law, but that in itself will, we're sure, provide for some very interesting times this year and possibly into the future, because it is almost certain that the law will be challenged, right up to the Constitutional Court.

South Africa is fortunate in having a vibrant and independent media (apart from some notable exceptions) and that should ensure that any government hoping to hide the truth will face a long, hard battle.

So let's head into 2014 in a positive frame of mind - even if in years to come, some may look back on them as "the bad old days".

Today sees the first of our newsletters for 2014 and we'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all... for your past and, we hope, on-going support, and for your selection of this company - Bizcommunity.com - as your media vehicle of choice to get your news and opinions to your target audience.

To you all, all the very best for a prosperous and successful 2014.

Rod Baker, Content Director

Comment online in our ed's column archive. Go mobile with apps and m.bizcommunity.com. Engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+. Subscribe to YouTube and via RSS. Send all your industry-specific news and event invitations to tourismnews@bizcommunity.com, exclusive opinion pieces to contributors-tourism@bizcommunity.com and international news to internationalnews@bizcommunity.com. Read "How to contribute to Biz, from op-ed pieces to news".