While so many of us are silent in the face of corruption, they stand up for what is right. When our constitution is under threat, they stand for principle. They do that not because they hate the ANC or see it as an intrinsically bad organisation. No. They do what they do because they love their country and its people. They live here and want to see their children and nephews growing up here in a democratic dispensation.

It is the season for lists and so, for this year, here are a few of my heroes.

Zwelinzima Vavi, the general secretary of Cosatu, has been a true patriot in his vocal stance against corruption. He has been consistent, has not shied away from criticising his comrades and has done so fairly and truthfully.

Cosatu has been one of the key cogs in the fight against government corruption and Vavi and his executive committee have been pivotal in this. Their criticism of the likes of the (finally) fired minister Sicelo Shiceka has been exemplary.

They are no angels, though. Cosatu's failure to make it clear to the ANC in the March elections that its support can be withdrawn if corruption continues was a disappointment.

That gesture alone would have forced ANC leaders to see that if they do not deal decisively with corruption they will be in trouble electorally. That day is coming soon though.

Thuli Madonsela, the public protector, has brought respect and honour back to her office. After the shockingly ineffective tenure of Lawrence Mushwana, she has swiftly turned her back on that shameful legacy and shown that Chapter Nine institutions can be real defenders of our democracy. Largely through her fearless work, ministers have been fired and the police commissioner suspended.

Madonsela's triumph is not just about her. She is an example of how the institutions of our democracy can function freely, fairly, efficiently and for the good of all of us. One would have hoped that people like Mushwana, who now heads the SA Human Rights Commission, would follow her example.

Then there are the journalists. At the Sunday Times, Mzilikazi waAfrika and Stephan Hofstatter wrote stories of courage that have led to the firing of Shiceka and Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde from their ministerial positions. At the doughty Mail&Guardian, Stefaans Brummer and Sam Sole have been extraordinary in exposing the likes of Mac Maharaj and others. At City Press, Adriaan Basson and Piet Rampedi have been like bulldogs.

All these journalists, and their editors and many of their colleagues have exposed rot and corruption at all levels of our society. What would we do without them?

Corruption does not reside only in those who loot our state. There are those who, through laziness and disrespect for the ordinary man and woman, do untold damage to our country's moral fibre.

I am heartened by the actions of Limpopo public works MEC Thabitha Mohlala who, in November, locked out late workers from her department's offices in Polokwane. Lazy civil servants, who arrive late and watch the clock all day, will be the death of this country.

She set a brilliant example .

About 50 of the latecomers found themselves locked out and, in a display of utter stupidity, started toyi-toying, demanding to be let in. One of them was quoted by Independent Newspapers as saying: "They should have circulated a memo so that we could be aware."

I am proud of the work of the opposition. The DA, despite its many faults, is giving our executive a run for its money. This is good. Accountability is the cornerstone of any democracy, and a country that has a lazy opposition has no future.

The chair of the parliamentary public accounts committee, Themba Godi, also continues to impress despite the fact that he faces political problems within his party.

There are a few others. President Jacob Zuma has been a disaster in many things but he has to be applauded for firing some errant ministers (this year's was his second cabinet reshuffle since 2009).

His appointee Willem Heath did the extraordinary too. In a country where no one resigns, the man actually stepped down. Amazing.

These two are not heroes, but they did the right thing when it was needed. In a sea of mediocrity, they managed small eruptions of impressive action.

My wish for the new year? Let us all stand up for what is right, the way Madonsela and Vavi do.