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In the final episode of Howzit China, Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo chat to two South Africans who have a lot to share about the relations between South Africa and China, and the opportunities that exist in each country for the other. Grant Horsfield is a South African who has made a huge success for himself in China through naked Group – a premium lifestyle brand in Asia. Luyanda Sithole is the Chief Partnership Officer at the African World Heritage Fund… she speaks about the work the fund does in preserving World Heritage Sites in South Africa and Africa as a whole, and the role China has played.

Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo spent an afternoon at Biru Restaurant in Rivonia, hosted by Pino Donzella, who prepared for them the famous Chinese Hot Pot. They were joined by Nhlanhla Ngulube, who lived in Changchun and tasted all kinds of local dishes. They chat about China’s vast food options, and share some tips on how to enjoy the rich cuisine.

Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo chat to Boithabiso Mokoena, Tshepiso Malele, and Asi Lily about their experiences while living in China. They all met through Thrive Beijing, an initiative that hosts events for expats living there. They tell us how to survive with minimum Mandarin, how to get around using taxis or bicycles, the food that you must try, and the food that would remind one of South African cuisine.

1 October 2019 is the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in the world – Gareth and Phumi chat to Mr John Gelling, principal at Pretoria Chinese School; Ms Angela Liu, deputy principal at Pretoria Chinese School, and Refilwe Mashiane, a Grade 11 pupil at the school.

Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo chat to Professor Katherine Munro, chairman of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation and Mr Walter Pon, retail director of Sui Hing Hong, and a respected Chinese community elder and leader who has made it his life’s mission to preserve the history of Chinese people in South Africa. Prof. Munro and Mr Pon share the history of how the Chinese came to South Africa during the ‘Witwatersrand Gold Rush’ and the role played by the apartheid regime that made the Chinese preserve their history and culture as they have to this day. Mr Pon, a third generation South African born Chinese man, shares his family’s story of their arrival in South Africa, the challenges and the discrimination they and other Chinese migrants faced, and how they integrated with the local community.

Gareth Cliff and Phumi Mashigo kickstart the first episode of Howzit China by getting an in-depth perspective from people who have extensively traveled in China. Botlhale Seageng is an economist who went there to study Mandarin, and did his Masters at Renmin University in Beijing. Botlhale shares his personal experiences on how life was for the 3 years he lived there – from experimenting with the different types of food, to visiting communities who were not accustomed to seeing black people. The next guest is Jen Su, who has been involved in the media industry for over 20 years, and has worked in different parts of China… from Hong Kong, to Taipei, to Shanghai. Jen gives us a personal view of her experiences – the must-see places, the night life, and why China should definitely be on your travel list!

Want a one-stop shop in learning more about China? Then this is the podcast for you.