Meet Kayan Leung
Kayan Leung was born in Hong Kong, she came to South Africa when she was 2 months old. Kayan is a human rights lawyer at a NGO in JHB. She is a former Miss Earth, was named one of M&G's Top 200 Young South Africans in 2016 and is currently in the USA as a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow.
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Name: Kayan Leung
Occupation: Attorney
1. Where were you born?
Kowloon, Hong Kong – My family immigrated to South Africa when I was 2 months old to join my other family who had been in South Africa since the 1890’s.
2. What schools/colleges/universities did you go to?
Sir John Adamson High School
University of Johannesburg
University of South Africa
Mandela Institute at Wits University
3. What is your fondest childhood memory, growing up as a Chinese child?
Spending time with my parents and to help out while they worked on weekends at a Chinese restaurant. On other weekends when they did not work, we would spend family trips playing in the park or going to a bookstore.
4. What is your favourite Chinese food?
Wonton mein and dim sum, please!
5. Where do you live?
Killarney, Johannesburg
6. What work do you do?
I’m a human rights lawyer working at an NGO.
7. What do you love about your job?
The ability to directly and indirectly effect change to our beautiful country. I am a committed humanitarian and aspire to honour God and love people in my work and all other avenues of life. It’s about helping the voiceless find a voice and empowering them to actively participate in realising the rights in our Constitution.
8. What is your proudest achievement?
Every single time I look into the eyes of one refugee or a community who we have assisted and knowing we have helped change their lives.
9. Why are you proud to be South African?
We are a nation of overcomers. While there is still much work to be done, our country is often viewed as a beacon of light and hope to diversity and unity. We have progressive laws that promote fundamental human rights and dignity that many countries wish to emulate
10. Why are you proud to be Chinese?
Chinese culture brings a rich and unique perspective to the global system. I love having discussions on the similarities of Chinese and African cultures – it unites people in togetherness. It’s also great to break stereotypes people may have of Chinese people.
11. Name one Chinese tradition that you’d like future generations to continue with?
I think Chinese art is extremely beautiful. This would include Chinese calligraphy even if not everyone practices it. My late grandfather was a famous Chinese calligrapher and I wish I had paid attention when he and my late grandmother tried to pass the skill on to me.
12. What advice would you give to the Chinese youth today in South Africa?
It’s important to discover your roots and identity in a multi-cultural country and society. There is a lot to learn about our historical contributions in South Africa and one should not be ashamed of that. Find your voice and take a seat at the table.
Want to contact Kayan? Follow her on twitter @kayan_leung
