The Observatory-based Western Province Chinese Association (WPCA) has resumed its activities after they were halted for two years by the pandemic, and next month it will hold its annual food fair.
The 120-year-old association is comprised of the Chinese School, the Western Province Chinese Sports Association (WPCSA) and the Chinese Christian Fellowship.
The association’s vice chairman Patrick Chong said Covid-19 had made it impossible for their members to meet in person regularly, but the association had still had to fork out more than R200 000 over the past year to cover maintenance at their community centre.
“We also had to attend to pipe leaks and structural damage to the property because of a big storm,” he said.
Last month, the association held its annual general meeting, where Priscilla Lee-Pan was chosen as the new chairperson. “Our main goal is getting the community together and to build bridges again,” she said.
The head of fund-raising, Renée Liang, said the association would resume its annual fund-raising food fair next month.
“We missed the big gatherings of the previous years, we hope people will come out in support us,” she said.
The WPCSA, which offers basketball, badminton, table tennis, volleyball and soccer for its members, has also resumed its activities.
“During Covid-19 we had some activity, though we had to wear masks and limit our numbers. We have been a organisation for many years, so to have that two year break was very unusual for us,” said WPCSA chairman Jonathan Manley.
The WPCA food fair will take place at the Chinese Community Centre, Liesbeek Parkway, Observatory, next to the Wild Fig Restaurant on Sunday September 25, from 9am to 3pm. Email Ms Liang at renee@cinqtuary.com or call Mr Chong on 083 306 9097 for details.
