Meet Loraine Law Yuen
Loraine Law Yuen was born in Pretoria and now lives in Johannesburg. She is an Events-Co-ordinator and launched her own company now specializing in educational and wellness events.
"As South African born Chinese, we need to acknowledge both sides of our heritage and share it’s meaning with each other. " ~ Loraine Law Yuen
Read more about why Loraine is proud to be Chinese and proud to be South African.
Name: Loraine Law Yuen
Occupation: Events Co-ordinator and Director
1. Where were you born?
Pretoria, South Africa
2. What school/college/university did you attend?
St Angela’s Ursuline Convent in Kensington. Matriculated at Athlone Girls High and attended University of Johannesburg (Technikon Witwatersrand and Rand Afrikaans University - Rau). BA Communications, Psychology, and National Diploma in Personnel Management.
3. What is your fondest childhood memory, growing up as a Chinese child?
Going to weddings and eating an 8-10 Course Meal. I also loved going to Old China Town with my dad as I always got free Chinese sweets. (Laam and White Rabbits were my favourite)
4. What is your favourite Chinese food?
That’s a tough one because I love most Chinese food except 1000 year eggs.(Lol) I love the Chinese chicken soup - Chok or conjee because it’s nourishing, wholesome, simple to make and reminds me of my childhood being a regular Sunday meal when I was little. I think the smell of chicken cooking with the rice is something unique to Chinese households and survives through the generations
5. Where do you live?
Johannesburg
6. What work do you do?
Event Co-ordinator. I’ve been mostly self-employed most of my career. I established a student Placement agency whist still studying at varsity and managed it for fifteen years- I moved to Cape Town to bring up my children – So I’m now back in Johannesburg and got offered an opportunity to co-ordinate a Classic Car and Food Festival. I’ve just launched my own company now specializing in educational and wellness events.
7. What do you love about your job?
I love making a difference, communicating with different people, and co-ordinating projects.
8. What is your proudest achievement?
I have to say establishing the student placement agency and helping numerous entry-level students and graduates to secure relevant experience and jobs at top companies. Also launching a programme with SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered accountants) to increase the number of Black Chartered accountants in the Country – Oh and I must mention as Tour leader of the Taiwan Cultural Tour - Our Team bought home a first lace culture prize for the Southern Hemisphere group.
9. Why are you proud to be South African?
South Africa is a known as the rainbow nation with cultural diversity, lovely weather, and wonderful scenery.
We are known for some great leaders, personalities, and sporting achievements. Nelson Mandela, Trevour Noah (isn’t he just a gas?) winning the world rugby cup to name just a few.
As a Rainbow Nation I believe we are an example of how people from all different backgrounds can work, live, and play together.
10. Why are you proud to be Chinese?
Chinese Culture is one of the oldest cultures in the world with much wisdom.
Chinese People are known to flourish in their careers and jobs.
Chinese people are adaptable and can see the bigger picture in things.
Chinese people have a reputation for being hard working and persevering.
Chinese wisdom is often sited when looking for insights.
Chinese food is universally enjoyed and loved.
11. Name one Chinese tradition that you’d like future generations to continue with?
I would have to say that the Holistic philosophy of the East. The Global Citizen value of co-operation acknowledges the interdependence of all things. This I see as the major shift in Western values today from a linear to an interdependent holistic perspective.
12. What advice would you give to the Chinese youth today in South Africa?
As South African born Chinese, we need to acknowledge both sides of our heritage and share it’s meaning with each other.
13. Is there anything else that you'd like to share with the Chinese community?
Thank you Taryn for such a wonderful needed initiative.
As a second generation SABC, I noticed that fewer of the traditional customs are practiced today especially amongst the two Plus generation – Those that are practiced are no longer done in the same traditional way due to practicalities. (Perhaps It’s time for a discussion about being part of the two plus OBC generation)
Some may argue that in a postmodern global village, we are all heading towards becoming global citizens where we align more with our consumer patterns as to our ancestral or regional roots.
My mother’s passing a year ago highlighted the confusion commonly associated with straddling two worlds. She was still quite traditional in some of her ways, whilst we her children were assimilated into a more Western lifestyle. We wondered what kind of burial was best. – Christian, Chinese or aspects of both. In the end we settled for including aspects of both after a long debate among family.
I observe our circumstances as unique to other immigrant communities – whereas most immigrant populations become fully assimilated and accepted over time – the Chinese and other East Asian communities here and abroad tend to find themselves confronted with difference no matter the degree of assimilation.
I am concerned and wonder whether our future generations will inherit the same struggles despite the vision of the global citizen of tomorrow.
The global village creates ever expanding blended E-W communities. I believe, until a collective harmony between the poles can be reached, the issues relating to it is today still commonly fraught with confusion, ignorance, and a personal struggle for alignment. I think it is all of mankind’s challenge as we evolve to integrate matter with spirit in an holistic way. (The West being historically associated with the material realm and the East Spiritual)
The Sun God Ra is quoted as saying that all paradoxes are resolved when shared.
In my own quest for answers that we tend to ask in this space, - I shared some insights under a Hub page platform: East meets West Through Hub Pages
I would love to hear your views on this subject.
Want to contact Loraine?
Email Loraineyuen06@gmail.com
