South African marks Chinese New Year

It's that time of the year when Chinese people across the globe celebrate the beginning of the Chinese New Year. CCTV Correspondent Rene Del Carme joined members of the South African Chinese community in Johannesburg, as they marked the Year of the Dragon.

Reporter said: “While families around the world celebrate the Year Of The Dragon, we were lucky enough to be invited to a typical South African Chinese New Year’s Dinner."

Lucy Zhu is a successful Johannesburg businesswoman, who came to South Africa from China two decades ago Lucy and her daughter Nancy say they love everything about South Africa - including the country’s climate and its people.

But today they are excited about celebrating an important Chinese tradition from back home. They’re celebrating the Year of The Dragon, Chinese New Year 2012. Plenty of good traditional Chinese food, good wine and the good company of family and friends And plenty of good wishes for a successful year ahead.”

Lucy Zhu said: “Personally, I feel the Year Of The Dragon is a very successful year to come for everybody. Anything that didn’t work out last year will be falling into place this year.”

Resident Jenny Feng said: "We feel so great. And so happy to be together with our friends. We’re like a family here to have the New Year, Chinese New Year to celebrate together. I just want to say that I wish all the Chinese people the prosperity of the Year of Dragon, because according to the Chinese Lunar Year, this is the Year of Dragon. So, it belongs to all the Chinese people.”

Resident Theresa Feng said: "I wish that my family and my friends can be happy and everyone could be happy in the New Year. And I wish that everyone can get what they want like iPads & iPhones and everything."

One of the dinner guests said - living in crime-ridden South Africa -made her wish the Year Of The Dragon would bring SAFETY & SECURITY above anything else.

Resident Angela Chai said: "I wish everybody a happy, healthy and safe year more important we are living in South Africa."

And on that note it was time for us to leave this family to enjoy the rest of the Chinese New Year's Celebrations. With our fingers crossed, hoping we’ll be invited back next year.