A significant day for the Chinese people at Sacred Heart College
A day of fun, food, and laughter at Sacred Heart College celebrating the unique Chinese culture.
Duduzile Khumalo
Clementine Ho and Maire How enjoy their time at the festival. Photo: Duduzile Khumalo
Families came out in numbers to Sacred Heart College on February 4 to celebrate the Chinese New Year-themed Year of the Rabbit, the Chinese Association’s 120th birthday, and the lantern festival.
Double Dragon band performs at the Chinese New Year festival. Photo: Duduzile KhumaloNokubonga Phangisa and Keabetswe Mlondobozi try different types of food at the festival. Photo: Duduzile Khumalo
The Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays in China and is celebrated with great pride and joy by Chinese people across the world.
Nqobile Ledwaba and Thalefo Ledwaba. Photo: Duduzile KhumaloThomas Kimathi at his stall during the festival. Photo: Duduzile Khumalo
According to Erwin Pon, chairman of the Chinese Association, the Chinese New Year is the most important celebration for the Chinese community because it highlights and introduces Chinese culture to other South African communities.
Lauren Natasen, Santosh Bachoo, and Mags Natasen celebrate Chinese New Year. Photo: Duduzile KhumaloKhomotso Raseboga and Ashleigh Hackland at their stall at the Chinese festival. Photo: Duduzile Khumalo
“The Chinese New Year goes on for 15 days, and on the 15th day, we end it with a big celebration.”
Lynne and Ryan Jones enjoy their time at the festival. Photo: Duduzile KhumaloChrisny Ting and Catherine Pui at the Chinese New Year festival. Photo:Duduzile Khumalo
Pou states that they have what they call the ‘lantern festival”, a tradition in China, where they let lanterns float in the sky for people to see and have fireworks displays.
Kendal Coskey, Alexis Accone, and Kendra Lai Thom at their stall during the Chinese New Year. Photo: Duduzile KhumaloShivaun Timms and Kavi Subben look nice at the Chinese New Year. Photo: Duduzile Khumalo
“Today, we celebrate our culture and the end of our Chinese New Year because this year is the Year of the Rabbit, which promotes hope for all and represents abundance.”
Ricardo Vilares and son Logan.Mc Lim and Yiyi Luo spend time together at the festival. Photo: Duduzile KhumaloZanele Kay, Daniela Goeienan, and Navesh Moodley pose for a photo at the Chinese festival. Photo: Duduzile Khumalo
He explains that every year is represented by an animal or a being, and this year the rabbit means abundance, having a lot, and they believe that it will bring a good abundance of happiness and joy to many of them.
Angelina, Miguel and Claudia Calderia are out to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Photo: Duduzile KhumaloAlice da Cruz at the Chinese New Year festival. Photo: Duduzile Khumalo
“Last year was the Year of the Tiger, which meant we focused on ourselves, and this year is a year of togetherness, unity, and working together to work toward the main goal of having an abundance of prosperity, joy, and happiness.”
Cherie Welby-Cooke and Joey Michael. Photo: Duduzile KhumaloChairman of the Chinese association, Erwin Pon speaks more about the festival. Photo: Duduzile KhumaloEve Van Lingen and Franco Van Lingen at the Chinese festival. Photo: Duduzile Khumalo