The forty-third Hong Ning Braai Day, re-branded The Hong Ning Spring Festival, was held at Rivonia Central on Saturday 2 September 2023.

Forty seven stalls participated on a hot spring day, offering a wide variety of multi-cultural foods to the large crowd in attendance.   This day is Hong Ning's main annual fund-raising event but has also become an opportunity for the Gauteng Chinese community to re-connect with friends and family.

Deputy Consul-General Zhou Yu Jiang from the Consulate Office of the People's Republic of China in Johannesburg was our special guest of honour this year. He addressed the packed gathering before participating in a ceremony to awaken Chung Wah Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe's new lion.

An event of this nature requires the efforts and sacrifice of many dedicated and selfless people within our community. In particular special mention goes to Paulette Leong who, although not part of the Hong Ning Executive Committee, selflessly gave up many hours to perfect the logistics and smooth running of our function. Her 15 years' experience in event organisation certainly benefited us and we greatly appreciate her efforts. We acknowledge the advice and guidance of Shirleen Man, Walter Pon and King Pon. King was instrumental in our drive for donations. Thank you to Louise Pon who ensured that all the donation cheques were filled out so that even the last minute donors could be photographed in the presentation ceremony.

We have to mention Du Mann Ying, Chinese Secretary of TCA, who spent many hours translating Chinese names and titles for our VIP guest lists and the seating arrangements and preparing our dual language letter of acknowledgments with Walter Pon overseeing the entire process for accuracy and correctness.

Our gratitude goes out to all donors, big and small, whose generosity makes it possible for us to keep the doors of Hong Ning open to the community.

We would like to extend a special to Mr. Sam Ng and his wonderful wife Lai Lai for continuing to support Hong Ning and allowing us the free use of this wonderful facility for our event. We wish to point out that Mrs. Ng who made her stunning collection of garments available for the day's fashion show.

We wish to congratulate our fantastic MCs Daniel Lee, Rico Xu and Terisa Hsu Lee. Plus Sulveigh Ford who did the entertainment coordination.

We are also very appreciative of the restaurant owners of Rivonia Central who provided the meals in the VIP hospitality tent. We received very favourable comments by the guests on both the quality of the food and the waitresses overseen by Pauline Low Yeun

This year we also had 40 youth volunteers arranged and supervised by Erin Lai Thom who also ensured that the ladies of the fashion show were well orchestrated.

We are grateful for the participation of Mrs. SA finalist Terisa Hsu Lee who graced the event so elegantly.

A huge thank you goes out to Calvin Way and Shukri Hassan whose high quality footage captured the essence of the occasion so perfectly.

A huge vote of thanks must go to the fourteen acts who volunteered their services and performed so stunningly. We need to mention Allan Yeun who has donated his time and talents freely since our first Hong Ning Braai Day and is a regular feature at our many other events. However we missed his partner-in-crime, Dr Ivan Jardine this year, and we hope to see him again soon.

As this was probably Uncle Walter s last Hong Ning Spring Festival with us, (he is leaving SA for the beautiful scenic shores of New Zealand), Hong Ning presented him with a commemorative plaque for his many years served as our Honorary Life President, with much distinction. Thanks his constant promoting of Hong Ning among both the local and overseas Chinese Communities, we are able to garnish such heart-warming support both financially and morally.

We extend a big thank you to Timmy Sam who brought out some of the elderly from the Home so that they could also enjoy this day which is held annually in their honour.

A special thank you is due to the Hong Ning committee and Staff. In particular our Chairman Winkin Leong and his wife Denise, Shirleen Man and Shirlene Fung, Steven and Jeanine Leong, Nellie Fok, Michelle Check, Elaine and Leung Ho who spent many long hours preparing and cooking the food, setting up the chairs and tables, manning the information and donations receipt desks. We also need to mention Steven Tong for collating all the finances for this function.

To the stall owners and unsung heroes who made it possible to for us to host such a successful event, thank you so very much.

We look forward to seeing you in 2024.