Meet Yao-Heng Michael Sun
Michael Sun was born in Taiwan, he came to South Africa when he was 12 years old and grew up in on a farm in Limpopo. Michael is an attorney and is the MMC for Public Safety and Councillor for the City of Johannesburg.
"Always stand tall and strong in the coal-face of any challenge, work hard and excel. You will accomplish greater heights and write a significant page in history." ~Michael Sun
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Name: Yao-Heng Michael Sun
Occupation: Qualified attorney of the High Court of South Africa, now the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety and Councillor in the City of Johannesburg
1. Where were you born?
Taiwan
2. What schools/colleges/universities did you go to?
Capricorn High School in Polokwane, graduated from University of South Africa with a law degree, also studied Higher Diploma in Tax Law at University of Johannesburg.
3. What is your fondest childhood memory, growing up as a Chinese child?
Spent the high school years growing up on a farm in Limpopo Province. The nature and bush taught me to appreciate the beautiful African landscape and life on it.
4. What is your favourite Chinese food?
Noodles and authentic street food.
5. Where do you live?
In the very congested Fourways, JHB.
6. What work do you do?
I am the MMC for the Department of Public Safety, this makes me the political leader and top executive responsible for Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg. The Department consists of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Emergency Management Services (EMS – fire and ambulance service), Disaster Management and the Driver License and Testing Centres (DLTC) in the City.
7. What do you love about your job?
Johannesburg is vibrant but is also occupied by criminals and subject to many risks, each day starts with new challenges and missions. I work very closely with our colleagues to ensure the safety of our residents.
8. What is your proudest achievement?
Having immigrated to South Africa at the age of 12 years old and could not speak a word of English to be where I am today, and also to have successfully negotiated with my four year old son to brush his teeth.
9. Why are you proud to be South African?
Africa has been good to me, I like to use the motoring term that “I was engineered in Taiwan, built on the bushveld of Polokwane and road tested in Jozi”, my Chinese birth culture has balanced the Africa within me to get me where I am today.
10. Why are you proud to be Chinese?
Our heritage and culture are rich and ancient, one gets to appreciate this birth right with age. The Chinese culture and ways are gentle, it harmonises with the wild Africa spirit instil in me.
11. Name one Chinese tradition that you’d like future generations to continue with?
Honour thy parents and respect the elders.
12. What advice would you give to the Chinese youth today in South Africa?
Although we are a minority of Africa but the contribution our forefathers have made in building this beautiful country must never be forgotten. Always stand tall and strong in the coal-face of any challenge, work hard and excel. You will accomplish greater heights and write a significant page in history.
Want to contact Michael? Email sun@joburg.org.za
