2020 - THE YEAR THAT PENGUIN COUPLES Got to love each OTHER MORE

We've all heard news reports of how, during lockdown, skies in big cities around the world turned blue as air pollution diminished, waterways cleared up and wild birds benefited from humans staying home. People drew closer, too, as humans re-evaluated their priorities and discovered a profound need to connect, making space in their hearts for each other.

Positive stories such as these gave hope in a world where COVID-19 was wreaking havoc on people's lives and countries' economies. Here in South Africa it was no different - among the din of coronavirus havoc, amazing things were quietly starting to take shape, too. Read on below for some of the wonderful, and surprising trends to have come out of last year.

TREND 1: YOU GOT TO OVERTAKE THE JONESES

One of the trends that surprised everyone was the growth that happened in the property market. It was a year that the residential property market defied expectations – showing unexpected growth in the midst of a pandemic and numerous economic challenges. When the devastation of COVID-19 ran rampant across the economy, the property market held its breath along with all other sectors, as sales stalled and sellers and estate agents stayed home under