THE election is over; the paparazzi and media circus have left down. The apocalypse that was expected never happened. Instead, the story of South Africa appears to have become like something that Enid Blyton could have written. There is a tangible sense of euphoria in the air that the country has never seen before. Blacks are smiling with a new-found dignity, while former oppressors seem genuinely happy with their new government and President Nelson Mandela.
For the time being there is relative peace. Profound relief at this is making people somewhat giddy. Those who during pre-election fever stocked their pantries with enough food to see them through a nuclear war aftermath are sheepishly emerging from their cocoons. It's slowly dawning on everyone that the worst is over.
People are having barbecues in their gardens talking of the next big Rugby match. Dinner-party conversation up until the election centred around emigration. Now it's about staying.
Blacks who work as domestic helpers in white suburbs are able to go home again at weekends to rural areas which were previously strife-torn.
The fashion extravaganza seen on inauguration day is still being dissected at tea-parties. Many a snigger is being had over the call by a leading fashion designer for white South African women to have hairy armpits like the women in the new government.
Yes, it's truly a new day in sunny South Africa. Old arch-enemies the African National Congress (ANC) and the Inkatha Freedom Party have called a truce. Mr Mandela and Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi have embraced, thus mending a rift that caused thousands to die.